Cycloadditions of 2-azaallyllithium species with conjugated polyenes

2-Azaallyllithium species [R(1)CH(-)N=C(X)R(2)Li(+), where R(1) and R(2) are alkyl and X = OMe] were generated by tin-lithium exchange of (2-azaallyl)stannanes and underwent [pi4s+pi2s] and [pi6s+pi4s] cycloadditions with cyclic dienes and trienes, respectively, to generate novel bridged azabicyclic compounds in a highly diastereoselective endo fashion. The periselectivity using cycloheptatriene was modest, producing a 1:1 mixture of [pi6s+pi4s] and [pi4s+pi2s] adducts. The reactions of 2-azaallyllithium species with dienes proceeded by a [pi4s+pi2s] pathway. The cycloadducts derived from cyclic 2-azaallyllithium species possess the 7-azabicyclo[2.2.1]heptane (tropane) or 8-azabicyclo[3.2.1]octane ring system and have been elaborated into cocaine-like analogues.