This paper presents the synthesis of epibatidine analogues by a straightforward one-pot method for the synthesis of 7-azabicyclo[2.2.1]heptane-1-carbonitriles, starting from cyclohexanones bearing a leaving group at the 4-position. In situ imine formation, followed by reversible cyanide addition, al-

The key macrocyclization step in the synthesis of simeprevir, a hepatitis C virus (HCV) antiviral drug, was studied. N-Boc substitution on the diene precursor changes the site of insertion of the metathesis catalyst and, consequently, the kinetic model of the ring closing metathesis (RCM), enabling a further increase in the macrocyclization efficiency under simulated high dilution (SHD) conditions. NMR of the inserted species of both first and second generation RCM catalysts are reported and discussed.