Scheme 3

Synthesis of (±)-β hydroxy stearate. a) 1,1′-carbonyldiimidazole, magnesium methylmalonate, THF, rt 24 h; b) NaBH₄, EtOH, rt,15 min; c) 1 N NaOH, 15 min rt; d) Et₃N, BnBr, TBAI, toluene, reflux 12 h.