A formal total synthesis of (_)-neplanocin A

Stereoselective formal synthesis of (_)-neplanocin A from a cyclopentane derivative is described by using an elegant strategy involving reiterative usage of an already existing acetonide protecting group. The acetonide protecting groups that is carried forward intact right from the starting adduct to an advanced intermediate is shuffled around twice as in a relay race through the synthetic sequence, which has avoided unnecessary employment of additional protecting groups.