Pd(II)-catalyzed annulation of N-benzyl-N-aroylmethyl-2-alkynamides with arylboronic acids: an efficient synthesis of highly substituted α-alkylidene-β-hydroxy-γ-lactams

A simple palladium(II)-catalyzed intramolecular addition of vinylpalladium species to ketones initiated by the carbopalladation of alkynamides under mild conditions without a Pd(II)/Pd(0) redox system was developed. This cascade reaction provides a new approach for the synthesis of highly substituted α-alkylidene-β-hydroxy-γ-lactams.