A seven-step total synthesis of 1 is reported, starting with 3, 5-dimethylphenol. Formylation with Zn (CN) 2 gives 9. Mesylation of the derived alcohol 10 occurs only on the phenolic OH, to give 12. Coupling of this with the dilithium salt 15 of 2, 3-dimethylbut-3-en-2-01 gives, via