A route to the enantiospecific synthesis of the aziridinobenzohexahydroazocine ketone 14, containing the core nucleus of FR900482 and FK973, has been developed. It consists of coupling the two key intermediates, sulfon-anilide 7 and methyl (2S,3S)-2,3-aziridino-4-hydroxy-butyrate 12, prepared from vinylglycine, followed by cyclization to the azocinone 14. © 1990, American Chemical Society. All rights reserved.