Highly Efficient and Versatile Synthesis of Lactams and N‑Heterocycles via Al(OTf)3‑Catalyzed Cascade Cyclization and Ionic Hydrogenation Reactions

The discovery and development of an efficient and versatile method for the synthesis of N-substituted lactams is described. Pyrrolindinones, piperidones, and structurally related heterocycles were formed by Al­(OTf)3-catalyzed cascade cyclization and ionic hydrogenation reactions of corresponding nitrogen substituted ketoamides in good yields.