Condensation of beta-aminocinnamic acid esters with 3-chloro-2-methoxycrotonaldehyde opened an easy access to 2-phenyl-5-merhoxy-4-methylnicotinic acid esters which were cyclized by polyphosphoric acid to yield the corresponding 2-methoxyonychines. By this method a number of 2-methoxy-substituted onychines were prepared for the first time, i.a. oxylopidine, the structure of which has to be revised.