Zinc mediated Barbier type propargylation of cyclic imides

Propargylations of cyclic imides such as N-benzylsuccinimide and N-methylsuccinimide were accomplished under mild Barbier type conditions using zinc metal, propargyl bromides and catalyst. The use of PbBr2 is essential to ensure the completion of the reaction to provided propargylated γ-hydroxylactams in high yields without the recovery of cyclic imides.