8-diene-3/gb-ol, which has previously been resolved, a series of transformations are described which provide access to a variety of chiral intermediates for the synthesis of carbaprostacyclin and prostaglandin derivatives. Amongst these precursors are 8-acetoxybicyclo[3.3.0]oct-2-ene, 8-acetoxybicyclo[3.3.0]octane-2-carboxaldehyde and a deoxyCorey lactone derivative.