Pd-Catalysed oxidative carbonylation of alpha-amino amides to hydantoins under mild conditions

The first example of palladium-catalysed oxidative carbonylation of unprotected alpha-amino amides to hydantoins is described here. The selective synthesis of the target compounds was achieved under mild conditions (1 atm of CO), without ligands and bases. The catalytic system overrode the common reaction pathway that usually leads instead to the formation of symmetrical ureas.