A short formal stereoselective synthesis of （-）-swainsonine （1） is described. Our synthesis started with the versatile building block （R）-3-benzyloxyglutarimide 5. Through controlled regioselective reduction, Ley＇s-sulfone chemistry （N-α-sulfonylation and ZnCl2-catalyzed N-α-amidovinylation）, an RCM reaction, and an amide reduction, the synthesis of unsaturated indolizidine （8R,8aS）-3 has been achieved in five steps. The indolizidine （8R,8aS）-3 is an advanced intermediate toward the synthesis of （-）-swainsonine （1）.
