SYNTHESIS OF PHYSOPERUVINE (8-METHYL-8-AZABICYCLO[3.2.1]OCTAN-1-OL), NORPHYSOPERUVINE AND DEHYDRO-DERIVATES

4-Aminocycloheptanones have been synthesised in high yield from cycloh epta-1,3-diene. These compounds exist mainly as the bicyclic tautomers (8-azabicyclo[3.2.1] octan-1-ol derivatives; the title compounds) as shown by C-13 NMR spectroscopy at low temperatures. 4-Aminocyclohept-2 -enones are reactive but show a preference for the monocyclic tautomer s; N-benzytoxycarbonyl derivatives of the saturated and unsaturated sy stems are isolated as the monocyclic tautomers.