The Horner-Emmons reaction of 1-azabicyclo[2.2.1]heptan-3-one (I) with triethyl phosphonoacetate (II) gave conjugated ester (III). Subsequent Michael addition of the oxyanion of ethyl (S)-lactate (IV), generated in the presence of NaH in DMF, with concomitant Dieckmann cyclization, produced ketoester (V). Then, hydrolysis and decarboxylation in boiling 1 N HCl, followed by separation of the syn and anti isomers, yielded the title compound.