Studies on the syntheses of heteroeyelie compounds. Part DVI . Synthesis of oxynilidine and nitidine

A benzyne type reaction of 1-bromo-3,4-dimethoxybenzene (V) with 3,4-dihydro-6,7-methylenedioxy-I(2H)naphthalenone (VI) gave the tetralone derivative VII, which was converted into the amine IX via the oxime VIII. A Mannich reaction of IX afforded the benzo[c]phen-anthridine II which was then transformed into oxynitidine (I) and nitidine (IV).