Reductivedealkylationofl-(4-benzyloxybenzyl)-3,4-dihydro-6,7-dimethoxyisoquinoline with Li and liquid ammonia gave mainly isococlaurine (IC) together with coclaurine as a by-product. Reductive methylation of IC with formalin and sodium borohydride, followed by methylation with methyl iodide, gave (+)-lotusine iodide. Synthesis and optical resolution of 6-acetoxy-l-(4-benzyloxybenzyl)-l,2,3,4-tetrahydro-2-methylisoquinoline was carried out to give the expected ([plus or minus])-N-methylisococlaurine, which was converted into the methiodide, followed by treatment with silver chloride to give (-)-lotusine chloride. The total syntheses of ([plus or minus])-isococlurine (isolated originally from Radix pareirae, Chondodendron) and ([plus or minus])-/(-) lotusine halides (isolated originally from Nelumbo nucifera) thus were accomplished.