A synthetic way for the construction of the tetracyclic ring system of vinoxine that allows the introduction of the ethylidene substituent present in the alkaloid is reported. The synthesis implies the acid cyclization of 4-(1-indolylmethyl)-2-cyano-5-piperidinols followed by oxidation of the resulting alcohols and, finally, a Wittig reaction from ketone . The required 2-cyanopiperidinols were prepared