Two brief syntheses of (±)-methyl shikimate are described in a strategy which offers potentially flexible access to a range of analogues. New intramolecular rearrangement reactions of epoxides derived from methyl 7-oxabicyclo [2.2. 1] hept-3-ene 6-carboxylate and methyl bicyclo [2.2. 1] hept-3-ene 6-carboxylate are described.