A novel process for the preparation of .alpha.-substituted arylacetamides wherein the substituent is an aromatic group or a 1-alkenyl or 1-cycloalkenyl group and wherein the nitrogen atom carries no hydrogen atoms comprises the reaction of an arylacetamide having one or two hydrogen atoms on the .alpha.-carbon atom, wherein the nitrogen atom carries no hydrogen atoms, with a strong base in an inert aprotic organic solvent, followed by reaction with a zerovalent transition metal catalyst and then with a compound of the formula R.sup.4 --X, wherein R.sup.4 is selected from aromatic groups, 1-alkenyl groups and 1-cycloalkenyl groups and X is a particular leaving group, especially a triflate group. The .alpha.-substituted arylacetamides are useful as intermediates in the preparation (by reduction) of .alpha.-substituted arylethylamines, e.g., 1-substituted-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1H-3-benzazepines, having pharmacological activity. Certain benzazepines wherein the 1-substituent R.sup.4 is 1-(1-cycloalkenyl) are novel.
一种制备.alpha.-取代芳基乙酰胺的新工艺,其中取代基是芳香基或1-烯基或1-环烯基基团,并且氮原子不带氢原子,包括将在.alpha.-碳原子上有一或两个氢原子的芳基乙酰胺,其中氮原子不带氢原子,与惰性无极性有机溶剂中的强碱反应,然后与零价过渡
金属催化剂反应,然后与公式R.sup.4 --X的化合物反应,其中R.sup.4选自芳香基,1-烯基和1-环烯基基团,X是特定的离去基团,特别是
三氟甲烷磺酰基。.alpha.-取代芳基乙酰胺可用作制备(通过还原)具有药理活性的.alpha.-取代芳基
乙胺,例如1-取代-2,3,4,5-四氢-1H-3-苯并
哌啶的中间体。其中1-取代基R.sup.4为1-(1-环烯基)的某些苯并
哌啶是新颖的。