Asymmetric synthesis of highly functionalized γ-lactams through an organocatalytic aza-Michael-Michael reaction cascade using fumaric acid amide esters as multi-reactive substrates

We developed a novel method for the asymmetric synthesis of highly functionalized γ-lactams through an organocatalytic aza-Michael-Michael reaction cascade using fumaric acid amide esters as multi-reactive substrates. Using chiral primary or secondary amine organocatalysts, we obtained two types of γ-lactams with three contiguous chiral centers in moderate to good yield with excellent enantioselectivity and diastereoselectivity.

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