Synthesis of Chiral β‐Lactams by Pd‐Catalyzed Enantioselective Amidation of Methylene C(sp³)–H Bonds

Abstract

Summary of main observation and conclusion A Pd(II)‐catalyzed enantioselective intramolecular amidation of both benzylic and unbiased methylene C(sp 3 )−H bonds for the straightforward synthesis of chiral β‐lactams from aliphatic carboxamides is reported. The combination of 2‐pyridinylisopropyl (PIP) auxiliary with 3,3’‐substituted BINOL ligands is crucial for the enhancement of both reactivity and enantiocontrol of differentiating unbiased methylene C(sp 3 )−H bonds. The desired chemoselective C—N reductive elimination was achieved by employing 2‐fluoro‐1‐iodo‐4‐nitrobenzene as oxidant.