Abstract Total syntheses of (+)-valiolamine (1) and (–)-1-epi-valiolamine (2) from the naturally abundant (–)-shikimic acid are described. Ethyl 3-epi-5-O-methylsulfonyl-shikimate (3), as the key common intermediate, was first synthesized in five steps in 74% overall yield, and then converted into the targets 1 and 2 in seven steps in 48 and 41% overall yield, respectively.
