The chemistry of monoterpene alkaloids is reviewed, and a brief review of the chemistry of 9-azasteroids is given. The attempted synthesis of an alkaloid thought to be 6,7-dihydro-7-methyl-5H-2-pyrindine is described. Several methods for the construction of a per hydropyrindine system have been investigated. A synthesis of 2-benzyl-1, 2,3,4,7,7a-hexahydro-4-methyl-6H-2-pyrindin-6-one is described, together with a new synthesis of 1-benzoyl-3 carboethoxy- 4-piperidone.