The synthesis of pyrrolidine or piperidine ring-fused 2-phenylazepino[5,4,3
-cd]indole derivatives (2) has been accomplished through the N-acyliminium
ion cyclization of hydroxy- or alkoxylactams (5) derived from cyclic anhydr
ides or chiral hydroxy acids. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights res
erved.