Azabicyclo chemistry II. Synthesis of 1,5-methano-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1H-2-benzazepines. B-norbenzomorphans

The syntheses of the B-norbenzomorphans, 1,5-methano-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1H-2-benzazepine (1a) and its N-methyl derivative (Ib) were accomplished. Phenylsuccinic anhydride (III) was cyclized to 3-carboxy-1-indanone (IVa), which was converted by the Arndt-Eistert method to the homologous methyl indanone-3-acetate (V). One experiment in the synthesis of V led to the by-products 3-carboxamido-1-indanone (IVd) and 3-(N-methylcarboxamido)-1-indanone (IVe), identified by physical and chemical means. Methyl 1-aminoindan-3-acetate (VII) was prepared by catalytic reduction of methyl indanone-3-acetate oxime (VI). Hydrolysis of VII afforded 1-aminoindan-3-acetic acid (VIII), which was cyclized with dicyclohexylcarbodiimide to 1,5-methano-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1H-2-benzazepin-3-one (IX). Reduction (lithium aluminum hydride) of IX gave amine Ia which was then methylated to Ib. The mass spectral fragmentation patterns of IX and Ia are discussed.