Palladium-catalyzed Decarboxylative [4+1] Cyclization of γ-Methylidene-δ-valerolactones with Isocyanides

A palladium-catalyzed decarboxylative cyclization of gamma-methylidene-delta-valerolactones with isocyanides has been developed to afford conjugated cyclopentenimines under mild conditions. Some preliminary results toward the development of an asymmetric variant have also been described.