3-Methyl-3-oxetanemethanol has been used in the preparation of star-shaped copolymer consisting of a hyperbranched poly(3-methyl-3-oxetanemethanol) core and polytetrahydrofuran arms, pyridyl disulfide-functionalized cyclic carbonate monomer, required for the synthesis of of functional poly(ε-caprolactone) containing pendant pyridyl disulphide groups and δ-lactams. It is used to synthesize octahydroindole alkaloids and γ-butenolides.