Total synthesis of diazasteroids (1)

Contrary to previous reports, the condensation product of 8-aminoquinoline (1) and 2-carbethoxycyclopentanone (2) undergoes ring closure with polyphosphoric acid to give the 1, 11-diazasteroid 5. Catalytic hydrogenation reduced the A ring and the double bond to produce 6. 8-Aminotetrahydroquinoline (7) and 3-carbethoxy-2-piperidone condense to a tricyclic intermediate (11), which could not be cyclized to a steroid, however.