3-Amino-1-adamantanol, a key intermediate of anti-diabetic drug, was successfully synthesized via bromization, azido, Curtius rearrangement and hydrolysis processes by using adamantane carboxylic acid as the starting raw material. The overall yield of 3-amino-1-adamantanol was 34%. 3-Amino- 1-adamantane carboxylic acid hydrochloride, an anti-neoplastic agent,was synthesized from adamantane carboxylic acid by Ritter, hydrolysis reaction in total yield of 73%. The structures of products were identified by elemental analysis, IR, MS, ¹H NMR, etc. In addition, the possible reaction mechanisms were respectively proposed.

Key words: 3-amino-1-adamantanol, 3-amino-1-adamantane carboxylic acid hydrochloride, synthesis