Novel bicyclic
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-amino acids,
exo and
endo-1-azabicyclo[2.2.1]heptane-2-carboxylic acid, 1-azabicyclo[2.2.1]heptane-7-carboxylic acid, and 1-azabicyclo[3.2.2]nonane-2-carboxylic acid have been readily synthesized for the generationof neuronal nicotinic receptor ligands. Alkylation of glycine-derived Schiff bases or nitroacetates with cyclic etherelectrophiles, followed by acid-induced ring opening andcyclization in NH
4OH, allowed for the preparation ofsubstantial quantities of the three tertiary bicyclic
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-aminoacids.