Process for the preparation of 1,2,3,4,8,9,10,10a-octahydro-7bH-cyclopenta [B] [1,4] diazepino- [6,7,1-hi] indole derivatives

This invention provides a process for the preparation of 1, 2, 3, 4, 8, 9, 10, 10a-octahydro-7bH-cyclopenta[b][1,4]diazepino[6,7,1-hi]indole derivatives of the general formula: ##STR1##

wherein: R is H, alkyl, cycloalkyl, -CH₂-cycloalkyl, acyl, aryl or aroyl; R₁, R₂, R₄ and R₅ are H, hydroxy, alkyl, cycloalkyl, alkoxy, halogen, fluorinated alkyl, -CN, -NH-SO₂-alkyl, -SO₂-NH-alkyl, alkyl amide, amino, alkylamino, dialkylmino, fluorinated alkoxy, acyl, aryl or aroyl; R₃ is H, alkyl, cycloalkyl, alkoxy, fluorinated alkyl, alkyl sulfonamide, alkyl amide, amino, alkylamino, dialkylmino, fluorinated alkoxy, acyl, aryl or aroyl; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, as well as intermediates for their synthesis.