Diversity-oriented synthesis of β-lactams and γ-lactams via a post-Ugi nucleophilic cyclization: Lewis acids as regioselective switch

Heterocyclic fused α-methylene β-lactams were successfully synthesized by a post-Ugi InIII-catalyzed intramolecular addition reaction. Switching from InCl3 to AlCl3 led to the regioselective synthesis of α,β-unsaturated γ-lactams. Moreover, replacing terminal alkynes by substituted alkynes in the Ugi adducts resulted in the exclusive formation of γ-lactams with both catalytic systems.status: publishe