Access to beta-Lactams via Iron-Catalyzed Olefin Oxyamidation Enabled by the pi-Accepting Phthalocyanine Ligand

Abstract

Herein, we report the development of an ironcatalyzed olefin oxyamidation by utilizing tethered dioxazolones as the nitrenoid precursor to produce valuable beta-lactam scaffolds. Mechanistic studies revealed that a relatively strong pi-accepting ability of the phthalocyanine ligand is critical in generating the key triplet iron-imidyl radical intermediate to enable the 4-exo-triglactamization with the incorporation of oxygen nucleophiles in high diastereoselectivity. This cyclization approach was readily extended to the highly eflicient gamma-lactam synthesis (TON > 300).