This, a full account, discloses an efficient, convergent synthesis of two novel analogues of the macrocyclic antitumor diterpene jatrophone (1). We term these analogues cis-and trans- normethyljatropholactone (2 and 3, respectively). Our approach in each case begins with the bis (trimethylsily1oxy) ketone 7 and the requisite acetylenic or trans ester-aldehyde, 8 or 12a. Application of our previously developed 3 (2H)-furanone synthetic protocol consisting ...