Palladium-Catalyzed Oxidative Carbonylation of N-Allylamines for the Synthesis of β-Lactams

beta-Lactam scaffolds are considered to be ideal building blocks for the synthesis of nitrogen-containing compounds. A new palladium-catalyzed oxidative carbonylation of N-allylamines for the synthesis of alpha-methylene-beta-lactams is reported. DFT calculations suggest that the formation of beta-lactams via a four-membered-ring transition state is favorable.