Highly Efficient and Versatile Synthesis of Lactams and <i>N</i>-Heterocycles via Al(OTf)<sub>3</sub>-Catalyzed Cascade Cyclization and Ionic Hydrogenation Reactions
The discovery and development of an efficient and versatile method for the synthesis of N-substituted lactams is described. Pyrrolindinones, piperidones, and structurally related heterocycles were formed by Al(OTf)3-catalyzed cascade cyclization and ionic hydrogenation reactions of corresponding nitrogen substituted ketoamides in good yields.