Diastereoselective synthesis of a highly substituted cis-decahydroquinoline via a Knoevenagel condensation

A diastereoselective approach to 3,7,8-trisubstituted cis-decahydroquinolines is described. This ring system forms the core of rings B and E of the norditerpenoid alkaloid methyllycaconitine. This approach starts with a known disubstituted cyclohexene. The remaining carbons are attached via a Knoevenagel condensation followed by an intramolecular lactam formation. The stereochemistry of the substituents is controlled by the cis-substitution of the starting cyclohexene ring.