Elimoclavine (I) obtained by fermentation is first O-mesylated and then the mesyl group in the product (II) displaced by 2-aminoethanol to give the hydroxyethylamino derivative (III). Repeated acylation of (III) with mesyl chloride affords the N,O-dimesylate (IV), which exchanges the O-mesyl group for an azido group on treatment with sodium azide to give the base (VI). Salt formation with maleic acid gives RGH-7825 (1,2).