New chiral pyridine-type N-oxides 5a-e have been synthesized from (+)-alpha-pinene (+)-6 in four steps including photochemical oxidation, followed by Krohnke annulation, alpha-alkylation, and N-oxidation. The methoxy derivative (+)-5d exhibited the highest enantioselectivity as a catalyst in the title reaction, producing (S)-(-)-3 of 68% e.e. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science B.V All rights reserved.