A short and practical synthesis of 2′-deoxymugineic acid (DMA) has been developed via reductive alkylation with the aldehyde intermediates. No protection of azetidine-2-carboxylic acid was required and the presence of free carboxylic acid function facilitated purification by simple acid and base extractions. Furthermore, the intermediates were conveniently purified by HPLC due to the presence of chromophoric benzyl ester protecting group (s). ...