synthesized using the chemoselective S N 2′ coupling of phenylmagnesiumbromide with dimethyl 2-(bromomethyl)fumarate, chemoselective allylic substitution of bromide in 3-(bromomethyl)-4-phenylfuran-2,5-dione with phenylmagnesiumbromide and regioselective N-Selectride-induced reduction of 3-benzyl-4-phenylfuran-2,5-dione as the key reactions.