We have found that the hydrochloride of 2-phenyl-2-[2-(2-piperidyl)ethyl]-4,5,6,7-tetrahydroindan-1,3-dione 1 possesses marked analgesic activity (100% inhibition referenced to codeine) and report, as part of an extensive synthetic program, the synthesis of 38 new and structurally related compounds.

Selective catalytic hydrogenation of the pyridine ring of 2-phenyl-2-[2-(2-pyridyl)ethyl]-indan-1,3-dione 2 yields the nine-membered nitrogen-containing heterocycle 6 by a novel ring cyclization–expansion reaction. The structural and functional group parameters required for this novel ring-expansion reaction have been extensively and thoroughly investigated through the synthesis of a series of structurally related compounds; principally by modification, substitution, and replacement of the various functionality contained within 2.

In addition, we report the synthesis of a series of new 2-methyl-2-(ω-N-phthalimidoalkyl)-indan-1,3-diones 41, 45, and 53, two of which, like the parent 2-phenyl substituted indan-1,3-dione 2, also undergo a novel ring cyclization–expansion reaction to yield eight- and nine-membered nitrogen-containing rings. However, in these cases, further transannular reactions occur to produce the new 5,5- and 5,6-ring-fused nitrogen-containing heterocycles 44, 48 and 51, 52. Hydrazinolysis of the third, 2-methyl-2-(4-N-phthalimidobutyl)-indan-1,3-dione yields the new azepine-containing ring structure 56 by direct cyclization.

Furthermore, some interesting and unexpected chemical properties of the final compounds, which include selective and non-selective pyridine-ring hydrogenations and a few unexpected side reactions, are described.