Short diastereoselective synthesis of cis- and trans-hexahydropyrido[2,1-a]isoindole derivatives

A new and highly stereoselective access to 4,10b-trans or 4,10b-cis hexahydropyrido[2,1-a]isoindole derivatives is reported, both requiring an intramolecular Mannich-type reaction as key step. The cis diastereoisomer is obtained in three steps from a 2-alkyl benzaldehyde through the stereoselective formation of a 2,6-cis-disubstituted piperidine, while the trans stereomer is efficiently obtained, in a single step, if a 2-formyl benzoic acid is involved in the Mannich cyclization process.