An efficient synthesis of 2-(1-methyl-1,2,5,6-tetrahydropyridin-3-yl)morpholine: a potent M1 selective muscarinic agonist

2-(1-Methyl-1,2,5,6-tetrahydropyridin-3-yl)morpholine is useful for synthesizing potent antimicrobials including the arecoline derivatives, phendimetrazine and polygonapholine and was synthesised in nine steps with an overall yield of 36%. Bromination of 3-acetylpyridine and dehydration of a diol with cyclization were pivotal to the success of the strategy.