Pactamycin, one of the most complex and densely functionalized aminocyclitol antibiotics known, presents synthetic challenges that includereactivity and sterics, relative and absolute stereochemistry, and functional group compatibility and protection. An approach is reported thatfeatures four different types of (cyclopentane) face selective functionalization reactions and results in a polyfunctionalized and appropriatelyprotected intermediate that incorporates all the core carbons and the oxygenated functionality of the target.