Condensation of 2-bromo-3'-methoxy-4-nitroacetophenone (I) with diethyl malonate affords the phenacylmalonate derivative (II). This is converted into the corresponding magnesium enolate and then acylated by 3,4,5-trimethoxyphenylacetyl chloride (III) to furnish the disubstituted malonate (IV). Intramolecular aldol condensation of diketone (IV) in the presence of Et3N leads to cyclopentenone (V). Subsequent hydrolysis and decarboxylation of the keto diester (V) under acidic conditions produces (VI). Finally, the nitro group of (VI) is reduced by means of zinc dust in AcOH to yield the title compound.