Amine-Controlled Divergent Reaction: Iminolactonization and Olefination in the Presence of a Cu(I) Catalyst.

α-Bromoamides and styrenes underwent iminolactonization reactions (carbooxygenation), in which simultaneous C-C and C-O formation occurred in the presence of a copper catalyst with triethylamine as the base. Conversely, olefination reactions occurred in the presence of a Cu catalyst with piperidine as the base. The selectivities in those reactions were very high.