The newly developed method for the elaboration of the ring system of the aromatic class of Erylhrina alkaloids has been successfully extended to the synthesis of 1,2,3,4-tetrahydroerythrinane (VI), a non-aromatic analogue. The key step in this synthesis involves ring closure of ketoamide (IV) itself, obtained from hexahydroindole and cyclohexenylacetic acid. Attempts to further extend this sequence to the use of 2H-5,6-dihydropyranacetic acid as starting material met with failure at the stage of preparation of the latter. A new and unrelated stepwise approach illustrated on Chart III was investigated but failed at the ultimate step. Other unsuccessful approaches are also briefly described.