Enantiopure 3,7-diazabicyclo[3.3.1]nonane derivatives 4 and 5, potential pr
ecursors of quinolizidine alkaloids, were synthesised in high yields, start
ing from the biocatalytic asymmetrization of sigma-symmetric 3,5-disubstitu
ted piperidines. Their application to the total synthesis of the new pharma
cologically active compounds 3 are also described. (C) 1999 Elsevier Scienc
e Ltd. All rights reserved.