(+)-(S,S)-(cis-6-Methyltetrahydropyran-2-yl)aceticacid, a constituent of the glandular secretion from the civet cat was synthesized enantiospecifically from (+)-(R,R)-diethyl tartrate via stereospecific reductive ring opening of an optically active 5,7-disubstituted 6,8-dioxabicyclo[3.2.1]octane derivative.