Fig. 2.

Retrosynthesis of avenaol (1). Our strategy is characterised by the use of an alkylidenecyclopropane intermediate 5, providing a robust route to the required all-cis-substituted cyclopropane, while avoiding the undesired ring opening of the cyclopropane ring and the formation of a caged structure. The numbering of the carbon atoms is consistent with that used for avenaol. PMB p-methoxybenzyl