oline (1) was synthesized by an improved procedure featuring the conversion of (2S)-1-tert-butyldimethylsiloxy-2-N-(PhF)amino-5-oxo-6,6-dimethylheptane (16) into its corresponding imino alcohol followed by directed hydride delivery to reduce the imine functionality with a 95:5 diastereoselectivity. Ketone 16 was obtained from methyl 2-N-(PhF)amino-5-oxo-6,6-dimethylheptanoate (13), a previously reported