The first nickel(0)-catalyzed [2 + 2 + 1] carbonylative cycloaddition reaction of imines and alkynes or norbornene has been achieved by employing phenyl formate as a CO source. With this method, a variety of N-benzenesulfonyl, -tosyl, and -phosphoryl-substituted γ-lactams can be prepared in good to high yields.

The nickel(0)-catalyzed carbonylative cycloaddition of 1,5- and 1,6-ene-imines with carbon monoxide (CO) is reported. Key to this reaction is the efficient regeneration of the catalytically active nickel(0) species from nickel carbonyl complexes such as [Ni(CO) L]. A variety of tri- and tetracyclic γ-lactams were thus prepared in excellent yields with 100 % atom efficiency. Preliminary results on asymmetric derivatives promise potential in the synthesis of enantioenriched polycyclic γ-lactams.

The nickel(0)-catalyzed carbonylative cycloaddition of 1,5-and 1,6-ene-imines with carbon monoxide (CO) is reported. Keytothis reaction is the efficient regeneration of the catalytically active nickel(0) species from nickel carbonyl complexes such as [Ni(CO) 3 L].Avariety of tri-and tetracyclic g-lactams were thus prepared in excellent yields with 100 % atom efficiency.Preliminary results on asymmetric derivatives promise potential in the synthesis of enantioenriched polycyclic g-lactams.

Isoquinolines are ubiquitous structural motifs in a variety of bioactive compounds, including medicinal agents and natural products. The development of novel strategies for the preparation of isoquinolines using non-toxic organocatalysts is thus worthwhile. Herein, we report a simple amine-catalyzed protocol for the synthesis of isoquinolines from 1,5-yne-imines via the intramoleular migration of an N-aryl sulfonyl group to the carbon atom of the alkyne moiety.

Nickel(0)-Catalyzed [2 + 2 + 1] Carbonylative Cycloaddition of Imines and Alkynes or Norbornene Leading to -Lactams. -A key feature of the process is the use of phenyl formate as a CO source that enables carbonylation and prevents quenching of the catalyst. -(HOSHIMOTO, Y.; OHATA, T.; SASAOKA, Y.; OHASHI, M.; OGOSHI*, S.; J. Am. Chem. Soc. 136 (2014) 45, 15877-15880, http://dx.