A comprehensive study of nitration reaction of azatricyclic systems has been carried out. Whereas classical nitrations using KNO(3)-H(2)SO(4) at low temperatures gave nitrated products mainly at the 9-position, use of tetrabutylammonium nitrate-trifluoroacetic anhydride (TBAN-TFAA) resulted in exclusive nitration of the 3-position in the case carbamates 1, and 4-6 and the tricyclic ketone 7. These 3-nitro tricyclic derivatives have been valuable intermediates for the preparation of the very potent farnesyl protein transferase inhibitors such as the tricyclic pyridyl acetamide 32 and other new analogues.