Superbase promoted synthesis of dienamides as useful intermediates for the synthesis of alpha-ketoamides, gamma-lactams and cyclic imino ethers

Alkoxydienamides 2 have been synthesized exploiting the reactivity of alpha,beta-unsaturated acetals 1 with isocyanates in the presence of Schlosser's superbase LIC-KOR. In a mild acidic medium, 2 can then be promptly converted both into alpha-ketoamides 3 and into substituted 2-pyrrolidinones 4 or imino ethers 5 by choosing the appropriate experimental conditions.