Highly Efficient and Versatile Synthesis of Lactams and N-Heterocycles via Al(OTf)3-Catalyzed Cascade Cyclization and Ionic Hydrogenation Reactions

The discovery and development of an efficient and versatile method for the synthesis of N-substituted lactams is described. Pyrrolindinones, piperidones, and structurally related heterocycles were formed by Al(OTf)(3)-catalyzed cascade cyclization and ionic hydrogenation reactions of corresponding nitrogen substituted ketoamides in good yields.