Selective Palladium(II)-Catalyzed Carbonylation of Methylene β-C-H Bonds in Aliphatic Amines.

Palladium(II)-catalyzed C-H carbonylation reactions of methylene C-H bonds in secondary aliphatic amines lead to the formation of trans-disubstituted beta-lactams in excellent yields and selectivities. The generality of the C-H carbonylation process is aided by the action of xantphos-based ligands and is important in securing good yields for the beta-lactam products.