We record here a full account of the first total synthesis of (-)-paspaline (l), the simplest member of a rapidly growing class of architecturally complex diterpene indole alkaloids, many of which possess potent tremorgenic activity. In terms of sequential annulation, the strategy involves the following operations: DE-CDE-+ CDEF+ ABCDEF. Proceeding in 23 steps from Wieland-Miescher ketone, the synthesis afforded (-)-paspaline (1) in high ...