Synthesis of 1-azabicyclo[3.3.0]octane derivatives and their effects as piracetam-like nootropics

A useful pharmaceutical intermediate, 5-nitromethyl-1-azabicyclo[3.3.0]octane (1), was prepared in one step from 1,7-dichloro-4-heptanone (4) under mild conditions. Catalytic hydrogenation of 1 over Raney Ni in the presence of sodium hydroxide afforded 5-aminomethyl-1-azabicyclo[3.3.0]octane (2) in high yield. Piracetam analogues 20-23, which were pyrrolidine derivatives involving a 1-azabicyclo[3.3.0]octane ring, were synthesized. Pharmacological tests showed that N-[(1-azabicyclo[3.3.0]octan-5-yl)methyl]-2-oxo-1-pyrrolidineacetamide (20) improves cerebral function.