Cross coupling protocols were applied for the synthesis of 3-(4-heteroaryl-phenyl)-8- oxabicyclo [3.2. 1] oct-2-ene-2-carboxylic acid methyl esters. Stille conditions produced the corresponding products in reasonable yields. Samarium iodide reduction of the resulting coupling products produced the 2β-carbomethoxy-3α-aryl-8-oxabicyclo [3.2. 1] octane diastereoisomers as the major, and the 2β-carbomethoxy-3β-aryl-8-oxabicyclo [3.2. 1] ...