The total synthesis of (−)-englerin A, a potent and selective inhibitor of renal cancer cell lines, is described. The key feature includes the stereocontrolled construction of the cyclopentane structure by taking advantage of a base-promoted epoxynitrile cyclization. ... Our synthesis commenced with an eight-step preparation of epoxynitrile 8 from commercially available ketone 9 (Scheme 2). Thus, Baeyer–Villiger oxidation of 9,(12) DIBALH reduction of 10, and Wittig reaction ...