Straightforward synthesis of functionalized γ-Lactams using impure CO stream as the carbon source.

Direct utilization of CO into organic synthesis finds enormous applications to synthesize pharmaceuticals and fine chemicals. However, pure CO gas is essential to achieve these transformations, and the purification of CO is highly cost and energy intensive. Considering this, we describe a straightforward synthetic route for the synthesis of γ-lactams, a pivotal core structure of bioactive molecules, by using commercially available starting materials (alkenes and amines) and impure CO stream (exhaust gas is collected from the car) as the carbon source. This blueprint features a broad scope, excellent functional group compatibility and application to the late-stage transformation of existing pharmaceuticals and natural products to synthesize functionalized γ-lactams. We believe that our strategy will provide direct access to γ-lactams in a very sustainable way and will also enhance the Carbon Capture and Utilization (CCU) strategy.