Twoalternative and straightforward routes were developed for the construction of (R)-goniothalamin, a natural anticancer agent. The first method starts with (R)-glycidol involving stereoselective (partial) reduction of alkyne and sulfoxide Julia-Lythgoe olefination as key steps. Second method deals with the synthesis of (R)goniothalamin from 2,3-O-isopropylidene-D-glyceraldehyde with partial reduction