An improved total synthesis of racemic strigol [isolated from Gossypium hirsutum and a potent seed germination stimulant for Striga spp.] and 4''-epistrigol from .alpha.-ionone in 10 (4.4% overall yield) or 12 steps (6.8% overall yield) by recycling isomer 16 is described which is applicable on a multigram scale with a minimum of purification steps. The synthetic scheme also allows efficient access to many analogs for the evaluation of structure-activity relationships.