Polycyclic azetidines. I. The preparation of benzo [c]-cis-6-azabicyclo[3.2.0] heptane

The title compound was prepared from compounds readily obtained from 2-carbomethoxy-I-indanone oxime ( 5 ) or from the N-chlorosulfonyl isocyanate adduct of indene ( 9 ). Apart from its ability to undergo transformation to the azetidine, compound 9 upon refluxing with excess LAII was found to undergo reductive decompostion to cis-2-hydroxymethyl-1-indanamine ( 2 ).