A convenient approach to (-)-8-epi-swainsonine

A novel and efficient synthesis of (-)-8-epi-swainsonine (2) is reported. Face-selective diol formation from the bicyclic alkene 3 followed by a stereoselective vinylation of the aldehyde and ring-closing metathesis gave the indolizidine ring system, which was converted into (-)-8-epi-swainsonine (2).