Asymmetric synthesis of β-substituted γ-lactams via rhodium/diene-catalyzed 1,4-additions: application to the synthesis of (R)-baclofen and (R)-rolipram.

An efficient rhodium/diene-catalyzed asymmetric addition of arylboronic acids to α,β-unsaturated γ-lactams has been developed. The power of this methodology is further demonstrated by the concise synthesis of (R)-baclofen and (R)-rolipram.