14 to the aldehyde 21, followed by oxidation, dissolving metal reduction and stereoselective reduction of the C8 carbonyl group resulted in 29, which has the correct stereochemistry at C8 and C9. Further conversion of 29 into 37, and attempted intramolecular cyclization resulted in fragmentation to the furan 39 and 38. Asymmetric epoxidation of the allylicalcohols 42 and 48 resulted in neighboring