Enantioselective sp(3) C-H alkylation of γ-butyrolactam by a chiral Ir(I) catalyst for the synthesis of 4-substituted γ-amino acids.

Ir-catalyzed sp(3) C-H alkylation of γ-butyrolactam with alkenes was used for the highly enantioselective synthesis of 5-substituted γ-lactams, which were readily converted into chiral 4-substituted γ-amino acids. A broad scope of alkenes was amenable as coupling partners, and the alkylated product using acrylate could be transformed into the key intermediate of pyrrolam A synthesis.