Synthesis of Secondary Unsaturated Lactams via an Aza-Heck Reaction

The preparation of unsaturated secondary lactams via the palladium-catalyzed cyclization of <i>O</i>-phenyl hydroxamates onto a pendent alkene is reported. This method provides rapid access to a broad range of lactams that are widely useful building blocks in alkaloid synthesis. Mechanistic studies support an aza-Heck-type pathway