Reduction of artemisinin (I) with DIBAL, followed by acetylation of the resultant lactol (II) with Ac2O/DMAP leads to dihydroartemisinin acetate (III). Treatment of the allylic dichloride (IV) with trimethylsilyllithium provides the bis-silane derivative (V). Then, coupling of dihydroartemisinin acetate (III) with bis-silane (V) in the presence of SnCl4 gives rise to the artemisinin dimer (VI).

Hydroboration of the double bond of (VI), followed by quenching with NaBO3 yields the primary alcohol (VII). This is then acylated by succinic anhydride (VIII) in the presence of DMAP to provide the target succinate ester.