Selective Palladium(II)-Catalyzed Carbonylation of Methylene β-C−H Bonds in Aliphatic Amines.

Palladium(II)-catalyzed C−H carbonylation reactions of methylene C−H bonds in secondary aliphatic amines lead to the formation of trans-disubstituted β-lactams in excellent yields and selectivities. The generality of the C−H carbonylation process is aided by the action of xantphos-based ligands and is important in securing good yields for the β-lactam products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]