Crucial model synthetic and mechanistic studies directed toward the development of methodology for the construction of the maleic anhydride moiety of the CP-molecules are described. Studies directed toward the stereoselective attachment of the upper side chain, culminating in the discovery of long-range stereochemical control, are also discussed. In addition, a first-generation strategy toward the CP-molecules, establishing key intermediate 5 as a "beachhead" from which all future operations would diverge, is also presented. Although this first-gene ration strategy failed to yield the target molecules, the endeavor laid the important groundwork for the next-generation drives toward the CP-molecules.