A solution of 0.39 g (1.4 mmol) of (7S,9aR)-2-BOC-7-hydroxymethyl-2,3,4,6,7,8,9,9a-octahydro-1H-pyrido[1,2-a]pyrazine, 0.24 g (2.2 mmol) of 4-fluorophenol and 0.45 g (1.7 mmol) of triphenyl phosphine in 20 mL of dry THF was treated with 0.27 mL (1.7 mmol) of diethyl azodicarboxylate, and stirred at ambient temperature for 16 h. The solution was diluted with ethyl acetate and treated with excess HCl(g) in ethyl ether. The solvent was evaporated and the white, solid residue was washed with 1:1 ethyl acetate:ethyl ether. The solid remaining was dissolved in chloroform and washed with 1M NaOH, dried (magnesium sulfate), filtered and evaporated to give 0.45 g of (7S,9aR)-2-BOC-7-(4-fluorophenoxy)methyl-2,3,4,6,7,8,9,9a-octahydro-1H-pyrido[1,2-a]pyrazine.
