The 2-(2-Azidoethyl)cycloalkanone strategy for bridged amides and medium-sized cyclic amine derivatives in the Aubé-Schmidt reaction

2-(2-Azidoethyl)cycloalkanones afford bridged lactams in the Aubé-Schmidt reaction, sometimes in excellent yield, and solvolysis yields derivatives of medium-ring amines. Attempts to divert the Schmidt reaction with an arene-mediated fragmentation of the normal Schmidt intermediate have led to an initial example.