Synthesis of 4-aminoguaiazulene and its δ-lactam derivatives

A method for nitrogen insertion into guaiazulene hydrocarbons is developed. A one-pot reaction of 7-isopropyl-1-methylazulene-4-carboxylic acid, diphenylphosphoryl azide, and an alcohol (MeOH, tBuOH or BnOH) affords the corresponding carbamates. Deprotection of benzyl (7-isopropyl-1-methylazulen-4-yl)carbamate under basic conditions gave 4-aminoguaiazulene, which undergoes ring annulation reactions with 1,2-dicarbonyl reagents to yield tricyclic δ-lactams.