3-(Dimethoxyphosphorylmethyl)cyclopent-2-enone was converted into (+/-)-prostaglandin B1 methyl ester in two steps involving regioselective alkylation at C(2) with methyl 7-iodoheptanoate and subsequent Horner-Wittig reaction with dimer of 2-hydroxyheptanal (42% overall yield). The use of (R)- and (S)-2-(tert-butyldimethylsilyloxy)heptanal for the Horner olefination reaction gave, after deprotection