A synthesis is presented of spiro [7-methoxybenzofuran-3 (2H), 4'-piperidines], tricyclic analogues containing the A, N, and 0 rings of codeine. Two successive 1, 4additions into a pyridine residue, an intermolecular aryllithium addition followed by an intramolecular ester enolate ring closure, establish the spiro [benzofuran-dihydropyridine] system. Reduction and finally a-methylene lactam rearrangment provide the necessary functionalization for ...