1 alpha,25-Dihydroxy-18-norvitamin D-3 2a has been synthesized via two
routes. In the first one, the CD-ring fragment 3 was obtained by an i
ntermolecular Diels-Alder reaction via a decalin intermediate and subs
equent ring contraction. The second approach is based on an intramolec
ular Diels-Alder reaction of a preconstructed nonatriene 8.