Asymmetric Construction of Multifunctional ?-Lactams from 1,3-Dienes and a-Ketoamides via Pd(0)-p-Lewis Base Catalysis

A straightforward approach for the asymmetric synthesis of multifunctionalized ?-lactams, including those bearing two tetrasubstituted stereogenic centers, has been developed through a palladium-catalyzed vinylogous addition/allylic amination process between 1,3-dienes and a-ketoamides. This protocol features advantages of ready substrate availability, broad applicability, high efficiency, and excellent stereoselectivity, making it an attractive complementary tool to the previous strategies.