Synthesis of γ-Lactams via Palladium-Catalyzed C(sp3)-H Bond Activation of Alkyl Sulfonamides with Substituted Alkenes.

A methodology for the γ-butyrolactam scaffolds via ligand-enabled C(sp3)-H bond functionalization of sulfonamides with olefins has been demonstrated. The protocol has been found to be compatible with several activated and unactivated olefins, and the desired lactams were formed in excellent yields. A plausible mechanism has been described to account for the desired lactamization reaction as well as supported by mechanistic investigation including a 1H NMR study and isolation of a palladacycle intermediate.