Syntheses of (R)‐ and (S)‐3‐Methylheptanoic Acids

Abstract Starting from chiral methyl molecules 3 and 4 , both derived from ( R )‐4‐methyl‐ δ ‐valerolactone, we have accomplished the synthesis of ( R ) and ( S )‐3‐methylheptanoic acids. Our methods are amendable to the syntheses of a wide variety of chiral 3‐methyl alkanoic acids.