Total synthesis of (±)-podophyllotoxin and (±)-epipodophyllotoxin.

A novel approach to (±)-epipodophyllotoxin ($\text{2}$) and hence also (±)-podophyllotoxin ($\text{1}$) is described, involving as a key-step the stereoselective ring closure of the TMS-ester derived from $\text{14a}$ to the tetralin derivative $\text{15}$ with mesyl chloride.