Synthesis of 7-azabicyclo[4.3.1]decane ring systems from tricarbonyl(tropone)iron via intramolecular Heck reactions.

The 7-azabicyclo[4.3.1]decane ring system, common to a number of biologically active alkaloids, was accessed from tropone (via its η 4 -diene complex with Fe(CO) 3 ) in a short sequence of steps: 1) nucleophilic amine addition and subsequent Boc-protection, 2) photochemical demetallation of the iron complex, and 3) an intramolecular Heck reaction. Minor modifications to the protocol enabled access to the related 2-azabicyclo[4.4.1]undecane system, albeit in lower yield.