2-cyano Δ3 piperidines vi1 : a general method for the stereoselective synthesis of cis and trans 2,6-dialkylpiperidine alkaloids

The cis 2,6-dialkylpiperidine alkaloid (±) dihydro-pinidine $\text{7b}$ and the trans alkaloid (±) solenopsin A $\text{5a}$ were synthesized from a common α-aminonitrile synthon $\text{1}$. The key step in this synthesis was the stereoselective reductive decyanation of the 1-benzyl-2cyano-2′, 6-dialkylpiperidines $\text{3a}$ and $\text{3b}$.