6-Hydroxypicolinic acid (I) is oxidized to the N-hydroxy pyridinone (II) employing peracetic acid (obtained by mixing Ac2O and H2O2) in the presence of TFA. Protection of the N-hydroxy group of (II) with benzyl chloride affords the N-benzyloxy pyridinone (III). The carboxy group of (III) is then activated as the corresponding acid chloride (IV) by treatment with oxalyl chloride.
Acylation of the primary amino groups of spermine (V) by the N acyl thiazolide (VI) furnishes diamide (VII). This is further coupled with acid chloride (IV) producing tetraamide (VIII). Finally, deprotection of the O-benzyl groups under acidic conditions gives rise to the title compound.