In connection with the total synthesis of cytochalasans the cleavage of the macrocyclic system of cytochalasin D (3) was studied in order to gain useful relay compounds. Selective scission of the double bond in 19-position was achieved by controlled ozonolysis leading to compound 7 (Scheme 1). Treatment of 3 with OsO4 and subsequent acetylation gave the tetraacetoxy- and diacetoxy derivatives 8 and