Studies on ergot alkaloids and related compounds. 13. Syntheses and stereochemistries of 4-methyl-1,2,3-4,4a,5,6,10b-octahydrobenzo[f]quinoline-2-carboxylic acids.

Ethyl trans-anti-, cis-anti-, and cis-syn-4-methyl-1, 2, 3, 4, 4a, 5, 6, 10b-octahydrobenzo[f]-quinoline-2-carboxylates (III, IV and V) were obtained by the reduction of ethyl 4-methyl-1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6-hexahydrobenzo[f]quinoline-2-carboxylate (II), and their stereochemistries were discussed. Some derivatives of III, IV and V in which C2-ethoxycarbonyl group was replaced by carboxyl, diethylcarbamoyl, hydroxymethyl and methyl groups were also prepared.