Synthetic routes of 3-methyl-2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7-hexahydro-2, 7-methano-1H-3-benzazonine (XA), 4-methyl-2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7-hexahydro-1, 6-methano-1H-4-benzazonine (XB) and 2-methyl-2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7-hexahydro-1, 6-methano-1H-2-benzazonine (XX) having a new ring system were described. 4-Phenylcyclohexanone (I) was condensed with diethyl oxalate followed by decarbonylation to give ethyl 2-oxo-5-phenylcyclohexanecarboxylate (II), which was ...