Synthesis of Weinreb amides via Pd-catalyzed aminocarbonylation of heterocyclic-derived triflates

The direct transformation of lactam-, lactone-, and thiolactone-derived triflates into N-methoxy-N-methyl or morpholine Weinreb amides has been realized using Pd-catalyzed aminocarbonylation under CO atmospheric pressure and at room temperature. The carbonylative coupling can be efficiently carried out with 2% of catalyst in the presence of Xantphos as a ligand. The amides smoothly react with nucleophiles to afford acylated aza-, oxa- and thio-heterocyles. The proposed methodology could be advantageously exploited for the synthesis of dienones in which one of the double bonds is embedded in a heterocyclic moiety, as useful substrates for Nazarov cyclization.