Direct Activation of β-sp3-Carbons of Saturated Carboxylic Esters as Electrophilic Carbons via Oxidative Carbene Catalysis.

An N-heterocyclic carbene-catalyzed oxidative LUMO activation of the β-cabons of saturated carboxylic esters is disclosed. This approach allows for efficient asymmetric access to lactams and lactones by directly installing functional groups to the typically inert β-sp3 carbons of saturated esters. The use of HOBt as an additive was found to significantly improve both yields and enantioselectivities of the reactions.