Ni(0)-Catalyzed Synthesis of Polycyclic α,β-Unsaturated γ-Lactams via Intramolecular Carbonylative Cycloaddition of Yne-imines with CO

Article abstract of DOI:10.1055/s-0040-1707308

A Ni(0)-catalyzed intramolecular carbonylative cycloaddition between 1,5-yne-imines and carbon monoxide (CO) is disclosed. When Ni(CO) 3 PCy 3 was employed as a pre-catalyst, a variety of polycyclic α,β-unsaturated γ-lactams were prepared in up to 78% yield with 100% atom efficiency. Aza-nickelacycles, generated by the oxidative cyclization of yne-imines on the Ni(0) center, were experimentally confirmed as key intermediates. Moreover, diastereoselective transformations of the obtained products to afford highly substituted polycyclic γ-lactams with three contiguous carbon stereocenters are reported.