The first synthesis of a naturally occurring unsaturated epoxy-acid, vernolic acid (X), is described. 1-Bromo-oct-cis-2-ene (11), and the di-Grignard complex of dec-4ynoic acid gave octadeca-cis-12-en-9-ynoic acid (V). Partial reduction then gave linoleic acid (XII); epoxidation of the acid (V) followed by stereoselective reduction of the acetylenic bond gave (-J=)-vernolic acid (X). Similarly 1-bromoundeca-2, 5-diene (IV) and hept-6-ynoic acid ...