Catalysis

Intramolecular force

Enantioselective synthesis

Beta-lactam

Palladium

Alkyl

Biochemistry

Intramolecular reaction

Iodide

Stereochemistry

Medicinal chemistry

Reactive intermediate

Combinatorial chemistry

Organic chemistry

Lactam

Antibiotics

Chemoselectivity

Reductive elimination

Chemistry

Aryl

Steric effects

ACS Catalysis

β-Lactams are important scaffolds in drug design and frequently used as reactive intermediates in organic synthesis. Catalytic reactions featuring intramolecular C–H amidation of alkyl carboxamide substrates could provide a straightforward disconnection strategy for β-lactam synthesis. Herein, we report a streamlined method for asymmetric synthesis of β-aryl β-lactams from propanoic acid and aryl iodides via Pd-catalyzed sequential C(sp3)–H functionalization. The lactam-forming reaction provides an example of PdII-catalyzed enantioselective intramolecular C(sp3)–H amidation reaction and proceeds up to 94% ee. The use of a 2-methoxy-5-chlorophenyl iodide oxidant is critical to control the competing reductive elimination pathways of the PdIV intermediate to achieve the desired chemoselectivity. Mechanistic studies suggest that both steric and electronic effects of the unconventional aryl iodide oxidant are responsible for controlling the competing C–N versus C–C reductive elimination pathways of the PdIV intermediate.

Asymmetric Synthesis of β-Lactam via Palladium-Catalyzed Enantioselective Intramolecular C(sp<sup>3</sup>)–H Amidation

Asymmetric Synthesis of β-Lactam via Palladium-Catalyzed Enantioselective Intramolecular C(sp3)–H Amidation

Asymmetric Synthesis of β-Lactam via Palladium-Catalyzed Enantioselective Intramolecular C(sp³)–H Amidation