The title compound, C16H20O4, was synthesized in the course of the total synthesis of fusaequisin A in order to verify and confirm the configurations of the stereogenic centers and to exclude the possibility of epimerization during the methylation process. The crystal structure of the title compound at 100 K has orthorhombic (P212121) symmetry. The absolute configuration was determined by anomalous dispersion and agrees with the configuration of the allylic alcohol used in the synthesis.
(2R,4S,5S)-5-Methoxy-4-methyl-3-oxohept-6-en-2-yl benzoate
