[摘要]:The core structure I of the RNA polymerase inhibitor tagetitoxin has been synthesized by one-carbon ring expansion of bridged bicyclic monothioacetals. The key steps are intramol. ylide formation by reaction between the sulfur atom and a pendant diazoester, followed by an efficient photochem. 1,2-rearrangement to give the desired 9-oxa-3-thiabicyclo[3.3.1]nonane ring system.