I know I am replying to a now ancient post, but I guess that you, dear friend, have come to this page with something special in mind.
A couple of good articles I've found:
http://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/jo00441a036
http://pubs.rsc.org/en/content/articlelanding/1945/jr/jr9450000311
Making R-CHCH-C=O-CH3 should be in any self-repecting org-chem arsenal (else RTFM!), making the ethyl-malonate method look very tasty.
Olivetol can be extracted from oakmoss, but I say leave that poor species alone. That pentyl group is just asking for re-optimisation, dammit!
Now, I ain't gonna give the whole game away, but you can make miracle modern medicine if you've got the right medicine in you.
(Special spectral hint:NOT blue!)
Good luck
Oh, alternatively Nirvana's Majestic Lady could also come to your rescue!
