Galanthamine analogs: 6H-benzofuro[3a,3,2,-e,f][1]benzazepine and 6H-benzofuro[3a,3,2-e,f][3]benzazepine

The known cholinesterase inhibitory capability of the Amarylidaceae alkaloid galanthamine prompted preparation of analogs in which the position of the nitrogen within the azepine ring is altered. The analogs 6H-benzofuro[3a,3,2-e,f][1]benzazepine and 6H-benzofuro[3a,3,2-e,f][3]benzazepine were prepared in 19 and 2.5%, respectively, following Kametani and Shimizu approaches, respectively. The aniline derivative 6H-benzofuro[3a,3,2-e,f][1]benzazepine failed to undergo most of the reactions typical for galanthamine. Thus, it neither oxidized to the analogous narwedine, nor epimerized to the analogous epigalanthamine, nor reduced to the lycoramine analog, under the conditions used for galanthamine.