Synthesis of Amitriptyline and Related Substances. Hydroboration of 5-Allylidene-5H-dibenzo[a,d]-10,11-dihydrocycloheptene

Construction of dibenzo-fused seven- to nine-membered carbocycles via Brønsted acid-promoted intramolecular Friedel-Crafts-type alkenylation

Brønsted acid-promoted intramolecular hydroarylation of alkynylbenzenes carrying an arylalkyl group at the ortho-position leads to alkylidenedibenzo[a,d]cycloheptenes, -octenes and -nonenes in up to quantitative yield with complete regioselectivity. The scope and limitation of this reaction and application to the synthesis of tricyclic antidepressants are described.

Synthesis of novel, potentially biologically active dibenzosuberone derivatives

Novel representatives of the important group of biologically active dibenzosuberone derivatives were prepared: 3,7-dibromo-5-(dimethylaminoethyl-oxyimino)-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepta-1,4-diene (1), 3,7-dibromo-5-(3-dimethylaminopropylidene)-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cycloheptene (2) and 1,7-dibromo-5-(3-dimethylaminopropylidene)-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo-[a,d]-cycloheptene (3). These compounds are potential tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs), which are still the most frequently prescribed antidepressants in many countries.