Total synthesis of (−)-calycanthidine (1). Conditions: (a) CH2Cl2, TFA, 90%; (b) formalin, NaBH3CN, AcOH, MeCN, 23 °C, 90%; (c) Na(Hg), NaH2PO4, MeOH, 23 °C, 92%; (d) Red-Al, PhMe, 110 °C, 71%; TFA = trifluoroacetic acid, Red-Al = sodium bis(2-methoxyethoxy)aluminium hydride.