A concise total synthesis of (-)-cylindricine C through a stereoselective intramolecular aza-[3 + 3] annulation strategy.

[reaction: see text] An enantioselective total synthesis of (-)-cylindricine C is described, featuring a diastereoselective intramolecular aza-[3 + 3] annulation strategy and an interesting halohydrin formation of the C4-5 olefin for construction of C4-ketone. This work provides a unique approach to this family of natural products.