Palladium-Catalyzed Synthesis of β-Lactams via Carbonylative Cycloaddition of Benzyl and Allyl Halides with Imines

Abstract
Benzyl and allyl halides react stereoselectively with imines under carbon monoxide pressure in the presence of a catalytic amount of bis(triphenylphosphine)palladium(II) chloride together with triethylamine to afford the corresponding β-lactams in good yields.