The total synthesis of the 18-membered lichen macrolide, (+)-aspicilin, has been accomplished utilizing the Swem oxidation, Masamune-Roush olefination, and ring-closing metathesis of a trienic ester as key steps. D-Mannitol has been utilized as the chiral pool material for the construction of the olefinic aldehyde and the Jacobsen hydrolytic kinetic resolution has been employed for the construction