A one-pot procedure for the stereocontrolled preparation of octahydroacridine derivatives is reported, which involves the intramolecular hetero-Diels-Alder reaction of N-arylimines produced in situ from citronellal and aromatic amines. The temperature of the reaction medium plays a key role in determination of the trans/cis ratio.
bismuth(III) chloride - diastereoselective - one-pot procedure - hetero-Diels-Alder reaction