The ring expansion of 7-halogenobicyclo[4.1.0] heptenones and related compounds provides a useful new method for the preparation of the seven-membered conjugated carbocyclic compounds known as tropones and tropolones. This methodology has been exploited in the synthesis of various biologically active troponoid natural products including nezukone, the thujaplicins, thujaplicinol, MY3-469 and colchicine.