A four-step synthesis of 4,4-dimethyl-1,6-heptadiyne and an associated five-step synthesis of alcyopterosin O, an illudalane sesquiterpene natural product, are described starting from commercially available dimedone. The process features C-C bond-cleaving fragmentation and elimination methods for making alkynes, and it proceeds by way of nonsymmetrical diynes that are themselves valuable synthetic building blocks, as exemplified by the synthesis of alcyopterosin O.