Sordarin (I) was isolated from culture broths of Sordaria araneosa. Protection of the carboxyl group of (I) as the benzhydryl ester (II) was effected by treatment with diphenyl diazomethane. The 2'-hydroxyl group of (II) was subsequently blocked as the carbonate ester (III) by selective acylation with benzyl chloroformate in the presence of DMAP. Subsequent esterification of the 3'-hydroxyl of (III) with octanoyl chloride (IV) furnished the octanoate ester (V). The benzhydryl ester and benzyl carbonate protecting groups of (V) were finally removed by catalytic hydrogenation over Pd/C.