The first total synthesis of both C-11 epimers of 13-hydroxy-alpha-eudesmol 1a and 1b by the use, as a key reaction, of the Sharpless asymmetric dihydroxylation of alkene 7 is presented. The absolute configuration of natural 13-hydroxy-alpha-eudesmol is established through comparison of the H-1 NMR spectrum of natural diol and synthetic diols. In our synthesis another natural product (+)-alpha-selinene 2 has also been accomplished. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.