Cross-metathesis of α-methylene-β-lactams: the first tetrasubstituted alkenes by CM

alpha-Alkylidene-beta-lactams have been prepared in good to excellent yields by olefin cross-metathesis. Electron-poor alpha-methylene-beta-lactams undergo cross-metathesis more rapidly and efficiently than more electron-rich analogs. Significantly, tetrasubstituted alkenes have for the first time been accessed by CM reactions. (C) 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.