A double Mannich approach to the synthesis of substituted piperidones—application to the synthesis of substituted E-ring analogues of methyllycaconitine

The double Mannich reaction of acyclic α,γ-substituted β-keto esters and bis(aminol) ethers gives substituted 3,5-substituted-4-piperidones with high levels of diastereoselectivity. These piperdiones can be easily transformed into substituted E-ring analogues of the delphinium alkaloid methyllycacotine.