Abstract: This paper reports the chemical details of our total synthesis of dl-cephalotaxine (1) and the completion of the first total synthesis of dl-1 I-hydroxycephalotaxine (3) and dl- drupacine (4). Key steps in the synthesis of dl-cephalotaxine include:(I) conjugate addition/alkylation of aryllithium 23C to vinyl sulfone 21 to afford adduct 24C, bearing the entire carbon assemblage;(2) self-immoliative elimination of homoallyl sulfone 24C to ...