Stereoselective access to lactams from ketones via asymmetric nitrogen insertion is challenging due to demanding reaction conditions typically required. Now an adaptive strategy using ketones and O-(sulfonyl)hydroxylamine reagents has been developed, enabling the preparation of five-membered to seven-membered lactams with high enantioselectivities, providing a practical avenue towards chiral drug molecules.
- Sishi Zhong
- Lei Xu
- Yong Xia