Vinblastine (1), isolated from Catharanthus roseus, 1 has been widely known as a prominent agent in cancer chemotherapy. Since chemical modifications of the natural product have been the major means for exploration of the more potent analogues, a limited number of its derivatives have so far been accessible. 2a Total synthesis of vinblastine, on the other hand, has been the subject of intensive investigations in the area of alkaloid synthesis. 2b Despite the ...