in turn prepared from (–)-galanthamine via(–)-epigalanthamine. The relative stereochemistry of the pair of epimeric, allylic alcohols derived from Pummerer's ketone has been determined. The conversion of these alcohols into allylic chlorides with thionyl chloride and with trisdimethylaminophosphine and carbon tetrachloride is described. Biosynthetic conversion of tritiated galanthamine and narwedine