Synthetic transformations of higher terpenoids: XVII. Intramolecular cyclization of N-furfuryl amides of the labdane series

16-(Benzylaminomethyl)lambertianic acid methyl ester reacts with 2-methylprop-2-enoyl chloride to give unsaturated amide which readily undergoes intramolecular 4 + 2]-cycloaddition with formation of terpenoid derivatives of 10-oxa-3-azatricyclo5.2.1.0^1,5]decenone. Acetylation of lambertianic acid methyl ester with acetic anhydride occurs preferentially at the 2-position of the furan ring and is accompanied by migration of the exocyclic double bond. Reductive amination of 16-acetyl-15,16-epoxylabda-8(9),13,14-triene and subsequent reaction of the resulting amine with 2-methylprop-2-enoyl chloride give intramolecular cyclization products in high yield without isolation of intermediate furfurylacryloyl derivative. Reactions of methyl 16-(benzylaminomethyl)-15,16-epoxylabda-8(9),13,14- and -8(17),13,14-trien-18-oates with maleic anhydride lead to the formation of the corresponding 10-oxa-3-azatricyclo5.2.1.0^1,5]dec-8-ene-6-carboxylic acid derivatives as mixtures of diastereoisomers.