The trichothecanes are a group of sesquiterpenoid mycotoxins that exhibit a wide array of biological activity, including significant cytotoxicity.'The more potent of this class are the macrocyclic di-and trilactones of verrucarol (2) such as the roridins, baccharins, and verrucarins. Because of our interest in the synthesis of verrucarin A (1),* as well as our desire to showcase an alter-
