“…The route to 9 , the core of cladobotryal, is based on the two subunits γ-butyrolactone ( 12 ) and the known β-amino aldehyde 13 , which we made (Scheme ) by the sequence 19 → 18 → 13 , along lines reported 8 in the literature, but with minor modifications. We found it convenient to prepare the intermediate 19 by a route different from those previously reported. , The readily available alcohol 14 was converted (91%) into the phthalimide 15 under Mitsunobu conditions. Treatment with N 2 H 4 ·H 2 O in EtOH liberated amine 16 (97%), which was protected (100%) as its N -Boc derivative (Boc 2 O, aqueous acetone, NaHCO 3 , 16 → 17 ).…”