Reaction of Olefins with Malonamide in the Presence of Manganese(III) Acetate. Formation of α,β-Unsaturated γ-Lactones and γ-Lactams

Abstract The reaction of olefins with malonamide in the presence of manganese(III) acetate gave 2-buten-4-olides and/or 1H-pyrrol-2(5H)-ones in one-step, short reaction time, and moderate yields. The product distribution can be accounted for in terms of the stabilization of the intermediate carbocation in the oxidation process. The synthetic application and limitation, and the oxidation mechanism for the formations of α,β-unsaturated γ-lactones and γ-lactams are discussed.