Abstract
γ-Lactones were reacted with barium oxide/barium hydroxide/benzyl bromide in dimethylformamide to result in simultaneous benzylation of the γ-hydroxyl group and esterification of the carboxylic acid. A suitable protecting group for an α-hydroxyl function proved to be the tetrahydropyranyl group. The title compound was thus obtained in four steps from D-glucurono-6, 3-lactone.