Abstract
Ketalization of 3-acetyl-1, 2, 6, 7, 12, 12b-hexahydroindolo [2, 3-a] quinolizin-2-one (2) with ethylene glycol followed by sodium borohydride reduction and acid hydrolysis gave indolo [2, 3-a] quinolizidin-Z-one (1) in very high overall yield.