(E)-Geraniol (4) has been converted via 13 steps involving epoxidations, hydrolytic epoxide ring opening, and two ring cloeurea to the key intermediate 3, 8dioxabicyclo [3.2. l] octane alcohol 10 having stereochemical integrity at all three centers of asymmetry. Extension of the threecarbon side chain of 10 and attachment of the acetic acid side chain at C-1 in nine steps completed the geraniol-based total synthesis of the zoapatanol related bicyclic acid ...