DMSO-KOH mediated stereoselective synthesis of Z -enamides: an expeditious route to Z -enamide bearing natural products.

An efficient strategy towards stereoselective amidation of alkynes is reported. The given method features operational simplicity, excellent functional group tolerance, broad substrate scope and fast kinetics to furnish Z -enamides. Moreover, the method was successfully applied for the facile synthesis of the natural products lansiumamide A, lansiumamide B and Z -alatamide. Notably, DMSO plays two vital roles: hydrogen source and solvent.