Our pioneering attempts indicated that the desired diol 6 was not able to be obtained via currently available stereo-controlled hydrogenation methods. Thus, the radical reduction reaction initiated by metal-catalyzed hydrogen atom transfer (MHAT) was used as the alternative reduction method. We set out to forge the last stereo-center by the procedure developed by Shenvi and co-workers (Mn(dpm)3, PhSiH3, TBHP). To our delight, this reaction produced the desired diol 6 (48% yield) and its diastereomer 7 (29% yield) (entry 5). The major isomer diol 6 was further elaborated by Ley-Griffith oxidation to afford the advanced intermediate ketone 8.