Addition of guanidine to a 6-methylhexahydroindenone in MeOH at reflux afforded 7-epineoptilocaulin. A similar reaction with a 6-propylhexahydroindenone afforded netamine E. MnO 2 oxidation of 7-epineoptilocaulin and netamine E afforded mirabilin B and netamine G, respectively. The netamines have the side chains trans, not cis as was initially proposed. A unified biosynthetic scheme for the batzelladines and ptilocaulin family is proposed. Conjugate addition of guanidine to a bis enone followed by an intramolecular Michael reaction of the enolate to the other enone, aldol reaction, dehydration and enamine formation will lead to a tricyclic intermediate at the dehydroptilocaulin oxidation state. 1,4-Hydride addition will lead to ptilocaulin or 7-epineoptilocaulin depending on which face the hydride adds to. 1,2-Hydride addition will lead to isoptilocaulin. The key tricyclic intermediate was prepared from a tetrahydroindenone and guanidine and reduced with NaBH 4 to give a mixture rich in ptilocaulin and isoptilocaulin.