The total synthesis of (+)-pilocarpine (as its nitrate salt) has been achieved in nine steps and 30% overall yield starting from racemic 2-(2′, 2′-dimethoxyethyl) propane-1, 3-diol, which was desymmetrised via an enzymatic protocol. A high yielding synthesis of a key α- ethylidene lactone precursor has been developed, which involves the palladium-catalysed decarboxylation/carbonylation of a 1, 3-dioxan-2-one for formation of the γ-butyrolactone ...