A synthesis of 4,5-benzo-1-aza-tricyclo[4.3.1.1
3,8]undecane (
1), a benzo-1-aza-adamantanederivative, is described and features a previously unknown application of the Wolff-Kishner reduction ofa nonresonance stabilized or "twisted" amide. An intermediate amino ester is converted to a severely "twistedamide", which, when exposed to hydrazine in alcohol, provides the corresponding "twisted" amino hydrazone.Wolff-Kishner conditions (KOH/ethylene glycol, 200
C) provide the reduced target
1 without hydrolysis toamino acid derivatives. These operations are conveniently performed in a single flask in high yield.