synthesized in a diastereoselective fashion from commercially available 5-chlororesorcinol in 13 steps. The synthesis involves an efficient stereoselective cycloaddition reaction of a hydroxamic ester to form the parent spiro[benzofuran-2(3H),2'-piperazine] ring system. In addition the synthesis employs a 2-nitrobenzyl group as an amide protecting group which is easily removed under photolytic conditions