The condensation of adamantan-2-one (I) with 2-pyridyllithium (II) in THF/ethyl ether gives 2-(2-pyridyl)adamantan-2-ol (III), which is treated with dry HCl in ethanol to yield the pyridinium salt (IV). The hydrogenation of (IV) with H2 over PtO2 in ethanol affords 2-(2-piperidinyl)adamantan-2-ol (V), which is treated with SOCl2 in refluxing dichloromethane to provide the piperidinium chloride (VI). The dehydrochlorination of (VI) with KOH in refluxing ethanol yields the tetrahydropyridine (VIII), which is finally hydrogenated with NaBH4 in methanol.