A route for the degradation of the side chain of ent-labdane derivatives has been devised, giving the useful synthon 2beta,12-dihydroxy-13,14,15,16,17-pentanor-ent-labdane-8-one (8). The use of this compound in the preparation of terpenylquinone derivatives shall be reported elsewhere. In addition we have synthesized the compound 2beta,12-diacetoxy-8beta,17-epoxy-13,14,15,16-tetranor-ent-labdane (10), which upon catalytic epoxide ring opening in alkaline or acid media gave rise in all cases to the formation of tricyclicc ompounds.