Reported herein is a diastereoselective intramolecular alkene cyanoamidation, wherein high d.r. values are imparted by chiral directing groups. Lactams with an α-all-carbon quaternary stereocenter are readily synthesized, which may enable access to structures frequently found in biologically active molecules and natural products.
Keywords: Bond Activation; Cyanoamidation; Diastereoselectivity; Homogeneous catalysis; Palladium.