Abstract The synthesis of simple nortropane and nortropd-ene derivatives from cyclohepta-1, 3-diene is described. The key intermediates are trans-I-amino4chlorocycloheptanes and- cyclohept-2-enes which are derived efficiently from the corresponding cis-amino-alcohols and undergo intramolecular cyclisation. Corresponding derivatisation of cyclohexa-and cycloocta-1, 3-dienes is explored and attempts to achieve Pd-catalysed cyclisation of I- ...