Mannich reaction of 1,3-cyclohexanedione (I) with paraformaldehyde and dipropylamine affords intermediate (II) which, without isolation is condensed with acetone under Robinson annulation conditions, to produce the bicyclic amino ketone (III). Enamine reduction in (III) using NaBH3CN in AcOH gives a racemic amine, which is resolved via formation of the corresponding diastereoisomeric salts with (-)-ditoluyltartaric acid, and finally isolated as the hydrochloride salt.