Convergent total synthesis of epolactaene: application of bridgehead oxiranyl anion strategy

The generation and reaction of a lactone-derived oxiranyl anion is described. The aldol-type reaction of the epoxylactone and aldehydes was accomplished by a two-step procedure via the trimethylsilyl epoxylactone. The application of this methodology to the total synthesis of (+)-epolactaene and its analogs is described.