Ruthenium-Catalyzed Transformations of Amino Alcohols to Lactams

Abstract

1,4- and 1,5-Amino alcohols undergo oxidative condensation upon treatment with dihydridotetrakis(triphenylphosphine)ruthenium(II) catalyst in the presence of a hydrogen acceptor to give the corresponding lactams. The principle of the present reaction can be extended to amide formation from aromatic aldehydes and secondary amines.