Modular Synthesis of α‐Quaternary Chiral β‐Lactams by a Synergistic Copper/Palladium‐Catalyzed Multicomponent Reaction.

An asymmetric multicomponent, interrupted Kinugasa allylic alkylation (IKAA) reaction has been developed with a synergistic Cu‐catalyzed Kinugasa system and a Pd‐catalyzed allylic alkylation reaction. This unprecedented reaction provides in high yields and with high stereoselectivity a synthesis of α‐quaternary chiral β‐lactams, which cannot be produced with existing synthetic methods. Stereoselective coupling of two catalytic amounts of transient organometallic intermediates formed in situ is an important feature of this reaction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]