Abstract: | N-Methyl-N-2-propynyl-1-naphthalenecarboxamide, N-methyl-N-2-propynyl-1-naphthaleneacetamide, and N-methyl-N-3-butynyl-1-naphthalenecarboxamide undergo intramolecular Diels-Alder reactions at 190°, 250°, and 270° to give lactams 1,6 , and 9 , respectively. The cyclization temperatures are higher by 80-120° as compared to those of the corresponding anthracene derivatives. Elaboration of lactam 6 gave the trans-4a-aryldecahydroisoquinoline derivative 7a which, as the (-) isomer, was shown to have the same absolute stereochemistry as morphine. |