The invention relates to a method for the synthesis of galanthamine, the derivatives and analogues thereof of formula (1) where R.sub.1=a hydrogen atom, R.sub.2=a hydroxy group, R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 together form .dbd.O, R.sub.3, R.sub.4, and R.sub.5 independently=a hydrogen atom, a hydroxy group or a (C.sub.1-C.sub.2)alkoxy group, R.sub.6.dbd.H, (C.sub.1-C.sub.12)alkyl, (CH.sub.2).sub.nNR.sub.7R.sub.8, or --(CH.sub.2).sub.nN.sup.+R.sub.7R.sub.8R.sub.9 where n=1 to 12, Z=two hydrogen atoms, or an oxygen atom and X=an oxygen, sulphur or nitrogen atom, or a --SO, --SO.sub.2, or --NR.sub.6 group where R.sub.6 is as defined above or is an amine protecting group. ##STR00001##