6-Propyl-2-pyridinecarboxylic acid (I) was activated as the mixed anhydride with pivaloyl chloride, and then condensed with tert-butylamine to afford amide (II). After treatment of (II) with butyllithium, the resulting dianion equilibrated to the trans isomer upon treatment with Et3N in MeOH. Reduction of (IV) with concomitant cyclization in the presence of Zn and HCl furnished the tetracyclic compound (V). Finally, cleavage of the methyl ethers of (V) using BBr3 yielded the was condensed with nitroolefin (III) to provide a cis/trans mixture of adducts (VI), which was target compound.