The first total synthesis of (+)- and (-)-pericosine A has been achieved, enabling the revision anddetermination of the absolute configuration of this antitumor natural product as methyl (3
S,4
S,5
S,6
S)-6-chloro-3,4,5-trihydroxy-1-cyclohexene-1-carboxylate. Every step of this total synthesis proceeded wellwith excellent stereoselectivity. Structures of the intermediates in crucial steps were confirmed by detailed2D NMR analysis.