Pd-Catalyzed Tandem Cyclization of Ethyl Glyoxalate and Amines: Rapid Assembly of Highly Substituted Cyclic Dehydro-α-Amino Acid Derivatives

A novel cascade cyclization of ethyl glyoxalate and amines proceeds in the presence of Pd(TFA)(2) (5 mol %) to give the cyclic dehydro-a-amino acid derivatives. This method provides a fast and simple access to highly substituted dihydro-pyrrol-2-ones in good yields.