Bronsted acid-catalyzed intramolecular hydroamination of protected alkenylamines. Synthesis of pyrrolidines and piperidines

[GRAPHIC] The cyclization of aminoalkenes bearing an electron-withdrawing group on the nitrogen atom was catalyzed by triflic or sulfuric acid in toluene. Pyrrolidines and piperidines were formed in excellent yields. N-Phenylanilides also underwent cyclization to form gamma-lactams.