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A phytotoxin, solanapyrone E, has been synthesized from the decalone prepar
ed by the domino Michael reaction of the kinetic enolate of optically pure
acetylcyclohexene with methyl crotonate, After several transformations on t
he decalone ring, condensation of a methyl acetoacetate equivalent installe
d a pyrone moiety and introduction of a hydroxymethyl unit into the pyrone
ring furnished solanapyrone E.