Synthesis of 2,3-dihydrospiro[benzofuran-2,4′ -piperidines] and 2,3-dihydrospiro[benzofuran-2,3′-pyrrolidines]

The synthesis of 2,3-dihydrospiro[benzofuran-2,4′-piperidines] 3 and 2,3-dihydrospiro[benzofuran-2,3′]-pyrrolidine] 6 is described. The synthesis was achieved by a Grignard reaction of a 2-fluorobenzylhalide with an appropriate cycloazaalkyl ketone to yield the tertiary alcohols 1 and 4 . Subsequent intramolecular displacement of the aromatic fluoride by the derived alkoxides provided the novel system. Nitration of 1′-acetyl-2,3-dihydrospiro[benzofuran-2,4′-piperidine] 7 resulted in a 5-nitro derivative.