A series of benzimidazole and benzothiazole carbamates derived from 3-methyl-2,4-diphenyl-3-azabicyclo[3.3.1]nonan-9 beta-ol were synthesized and studied by IR, Raman, H-1 and C-13 NMR spectroscopy. The compounds studied displayed in CDCl3 solution a preferred flattened chair-chair conformation. IR and H-1 and C-13 NMR data showed the presence of an intramolecular hydrogen bond in the benzimidazole carbamates. Pharmacological assays on mice were drawn to evaluate analgesic activity as well as drug-induced behavioral alterations. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.