The first stereo- and enantioselective syntheses of trans-9-alkyl-2-benzyl-5-methyl-6,7-benzo- morphans (12) are described. The addition of alkyl magnesium halides to (R)-2-naphthyl-4-phenyl-1,3-oxazolidine (7) followed by treatment with iodomethane and quenching with acid gave (1S,2S)-2-alkyl-1-methyl-1,2-dihydronaphthalenecarboxaldehyde (10). Homologation of 10 followed by reductive amination using benzylamine gave (1S,2S)-trans-2-alkyl-1-benzylaminoethyl-1-methyl-1,2-dihydronaphthalene (11). Mercuric acetate-assisted cyclization of 11 followed by LAK reduction afforded (1S,5S,9R)-12.