A new strategy for the synthesis of benzo [de][1, 6] naphthyridine derivative 2, 3, 3a, 4, 5, 6- hexahydroaaptamine, which involves the construction of the isoquinoline ring after elaboration of the quinoline moiety, is described. Since 2, 3, 3a, 4, 5, 6-hexahydroaaptamine has been previously synthesized as a key intermediate en route to the marine alkaloid aaptamine, access to this compound represents a formal total synthesis of the natural ...