SYNTHESIS OF 6,7,8,9,10,11,12,13-DECAHYDROCYCLODODECA[B]PYRROLE AND ITS N-SUBSTITUTED DERIVATIVES FROM 2-ACETONYLCYCLODODECANONE AND 2-PROPARGYLCYCLODODECANONE

A new and facile method is proposed for the synthesis of 2-acetonylcyc lododecanone and 2-(chloromethyl)-3,5-dioxa-1-hexene under phase trans fer catalysis conditions. 2-Methyldecahydrocyclododeca[b]pyrrole and i ts N-substituted derivatives are easily obtained when 2-acetonylcyclod ecanone reacts with ammonia or primary amines. 2-Methyl-N-phenyldecahy drocyclododeca[b]pyrrole was prepared from easily accessible 2-proparg ylcyclododecanone and aniline under mild conditions using HgCl2 as the catalyst.