Tabersonine (I), isolated from plant material, reacted with disuccinoyl peroxide in methanol - HCl - water gives the rearranged product (II). Dehydration of (II) with formic acid and acetyl chloride in CH2Cl2 yields the ester (III), which is reduced with LiAlH4 to the alcohol (IV). Finally, acylation with 3,4,5 trimethoxybenzoyl chloride (V) results in RGH-4417 (VI).