Method for the synthesis of a compound of formula H(OCH[CH3]CH2C[O])3&mdashO-A-O&mdashR wherein A is the residue of 1,3-butandiol and R is H or H(OCH[CH3]CH2C[O]3&mdash. The method comprises reacting a cyclic oligomer of (R)-3-hydroxybutyrate consisting of (R)-3-hydroxybutyrate moieties with a 1,3-butandiol in an organic solvent in the presence of Candida antarctica lipase type B in a furan or pyran solvent.