Although the biogenetic-type, total synthesis of various naturally occurring polycyclic terpenoids from squalene oxide variants has been achieved,] the fabrication of traditional steroids by polycyclization of polyene oxides so far has not been realized. 2 As a preliminary assay, we have now synthesized and studied the behavior of the monocyclic epoxide (&)-l, 3 finding that-despite the considerable dissimilarity from squalene oxide and the attendant ...