A mechanism-based cleavage of lactam-carbamates

Article abstract of DOI:10.1016/S0040-4039(00)75979-X

Magnesium methoxide is a simple, effective and highly selective reagent for the deprotection of N-alkoxycarbonyl lactams. The cleavage occurs via six-membered ring transition states involving coordination of magnesium ion with the oxygens of the carbamate and lactam carbonyl groups.