derivative) and R= 0.108 (for the pivaloyl derivative). No abnormal results were found. Direct thermolyses of the dihydrocyclobut[b]indoles resulted in the formation of 1-substituted 1H-1-benzazepines, N-substituted 1-naphthylamines, and 1-substituted indoles, whose relative distributions depend upon the nature of the substrate and the reaction temperature. The presence of silver ion significantly lowered the