Polypropionate fragments are synthesized using a combination of a copper-catalyzed asymmetric allylic alkylation, ruthenium-catalyzed cross-metathesis and iridium-catalyzed asymmetric allylic etherification. The use of an appropriate chiral ligand for each catalytic reaction allows access to 1,2-hydroxymethyl arrays with good to excellent control over the relative and absolute configuration of the different stereocenters.