synthesis of 2,5-disubstituted octahydroquinolin-4-ones via anintramolecular hetero diels-alder reaction

A route for the preparation of 2,5-disubstituted octahydroquinolin-4-ones, synthetic precursors of the decahydroquinoline-type toxins, is presented. The key steps are an asymmetric epoxidation and an intramolecular hetero Diels-Alder reaction between an activated diene and an imine. The presence of an allylic stereogenic center induces some selectivity and thus only two cycloadducts are obtained in 70:30 ratio and good yield.