Conversion of racemic 1-ethyl-2,3,4,6,7,10-hexahydroindolo[2,3-a] quinolizine (I), an intermediate in the synthesis of vincamine, to the base and reaction of the latter with paraformaldehyde gives the 1-hydroxymethyl compound (II), which is acetylated to give the acetate (III). (III) is separated to its enantiomers by salt formation with (+)- (2R,3R)-tartaric acid, followed by fractional crystallization. Treatment of the separated tartrates with sodium methoxide gives the optically active bases, i.e., (+)-(II) and (-) (II) (RGH-2981).