The natural products (-)-dihydromenisdaurilide, (-)-3, and (+)-dihydroaquilegiolide, (+)-4, were isolated in 1993, but synthetic reports related to these compounds are quite scarce. Only a synthesis of both natural isomers in enantioenriched form and a synthesis in enantiopure form of unnatural 3 and natural 4 have been reported. Starting from an enantiopure monoketal of pbenzoquinone, we have investigated several synthetic approaches to both lactones in enantiomerically pure form, but each of them resulted in racemization. Finally, partial hydrogenation of (+)-and (-)-menisdaurilide allowed the preparation of (+)-and (-)-dihydromenisdaurilide, respectively, and a Mitsunobu reaction applied to 3 afforded (+)-and (-)-dihydroaquilegiolide.