A versatilechiron approach to the tetrahydropyranyl diarylheptanoid natural products (-)-centrolobine and (+)-centrolobine has been described. The use of an aldol reaction followed by reductive etherification for the formation of tetrahydropyran ring is of importance. diarylheptanoid - tetrahydropyran - centrolobine - aldol reaction - reductive etherification