Kavalactone derivatives were synthesized using a Heck reaction of the 4-methoxy-6-vinyl-5,6-dihydropyran-2-one with aryl iodides. The Suzuki-Miyaura reaction of an aryl boronic acid and (Z)-4-methoxy-6-(2-iodovinyl)-5,6-dihydropyran-2-one has also been successfully used to produce both Z and E isomers of lactones. (C) 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.