An efficient synthesis of the 2-azabicyclo[2.1.1]hexane ring system has been accomplished starting from cis-cyclobut-3-ene-1,2-dicarboxylic anhydride 7, which was prepared using a photochemical method. The key step of this new strategy involved a stereoselective electrophilic addition of phenylselenyl bromide to the double bond of cyclobutene dicarbamate 16 derived from 7. The subsequent ring closure