The marine macrolide spirastrellolide A (1, Scheme 1) is a potent and selective protein phosphatase inhibitor, causing premature cell entry into mitosis.[1] Synthetic interest [2] in the spirastrellolides derives not only from their unique molecular architecture, but also from their potential as lead structures for the development of novel anticancer agents. [3] In the preceding communication, [2] we described our optimized and scalable approach to the construction of the key C17-C40 bisspiroacetal intermediate 3, which forms the foundation of our strategy towards these challenging natural products. Herein, we report the completion of the first total synthesis of spirastrellolide A methyl ester (2, Scheme 1), as well as the single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis of an advanced intermediate that reveals the conformation of the spirastrellolide macrocycle and plays a vital role in our end-game strategy.A summary of our synthetic plan, which was designed to provide maximum flexibility in terms of fragment coupling and diastereomer selection, is outlined in Scheme 1. This optimized retrosynthesis leads to three key subunits-the C17-C40 aldehyde 3, the C1-C16 alkyne 4, and the C43-C47 stannane 5. The planned completion of the total synthesis of spirastrellolide A methyl ester (2) would thus proceed through the union of aldehyde 3 with alkyne 4, with subsequent elaboration to introduce the BC spiroacetal domain, and macrolactonization to generate the 38-membered macrolide core. A series of manipulations at C40 (in the truncated side chain) would precede the end game of the synthesis, which would involve a cross-coupling reaction with stannane 5 to install concurrently the 40E and 43Z double bonds as well as the terminal a-hydroxy ester in structure 2.The first requirement for this synthetic plan was the preparation of the C1-C16 alkyne 4. We have previously reported the synthesis of a close relative of this alkyne [4] by using Jacobsens hydrolytic kinetic resolution of epoxides. [5] Building on this earlier work, installation of a PMB ether was now required at C1 such that our envisaged BC-spiroacetalization step would result in simultaneous deprotection at this position. The most convenient point to undertake this modification was deemed to be the vinyl dibromide 6 (Scheme 2). Thus, selective desilylation at C1 was followed by formation of the PMB ether under mild conditions by using PMB trichloroacetimidate. Subsequent conversion of the vinyl dibromide into the alkyne 4 proceeded uneventfully on treatment with base (66 % yield, over 3 steps). [6] The union of the C1-C16 and C17-C40 subunits through addition of the lithium anion of alkyne 4 to the DEF aldehyde Scheme 1. Spirastrellolide A (1), its methyl ester (2), and retrosynthetic analysis leading to key building blocks 3-5. PMB = para-methoxybenzyl, TBS = tert-butyldimethylsilyl, TES = triethylsilyl.