Nickel-Catalyzed Cyclization/Carbonylation Reaction of -Allylbromoacetamides with Arylboronic Acids toward 2-Pyrrolidinones.

A straightforward and efficient nickel-catalyzed cyclization/carbonylation transformation of -allylbromoacetamides toward the synthesis of 2-pyrrolidinone derivatives has been developed with arylboronic acids as the reaction partner. This transformation proceeds through a sequential single-electron-transfer pathway via 5-- cyclization and carbonyl insertion steps, furnishing a variety of 2-pyrrolidinone derivatives in good yields. Various useful functional groups were well tolerated. Moreover, formic acid is applied as the CO source here with nickel as the catalyst, which provides a good supplement for carbonylation chemistry and heterocycle synthesis.