1-(2-Methylphenyl) lactams 9, having different electron-withdrawing groups at the benzylic position, cyclize under the influence of sodium hydride or potassium tert-butoxide. Depending on the ring size of the lactam moiety dihydropyrrolo-(10), tetrahydropyrido [1, 2- a] indole (11), or dihydro-1H-1-benzazeptne (12) derivatives are foraed. Pyrrolo [1, 2-a] indole 10c has been converted into the corresponding quinone 15b. Starting from ...