Lactams, alkylation cyclic ketones

Either or both of the R groups may be aryl. In general, dialkyl ketones and cyclic ketones react more rapidly than alkyl aryl ketones, and these more rapidly than diaryl ketones. The latter require sulfuric acid and do not react in concentrated HCl, which is strong enough for dialkyl ketones. Dialkyl and cyclic ketones react sufficiently faster than diaryl or aryl alkyl ketones or carboxylic acids or alcohols that these functions may be present in the same molecule without interference. Cyclic ketones give lactams. 

In addition to the Beckmann reaction, the Schmidt rearrangement is used to generate M-alkylated lactams, too. Alkyl azides 231 react with the cyclic ketones (and aldehydes) in the presence of proton or Lewis acids. On running the inter-molecular reactions, in most cases symmetric ketals 230 have been converted... 

The Schmidt reaction of cyclic ketones with hydrazoic acid affords convenient access to ring-expanded N-unsub-stituted lactams but extension of this process to alkyl azides to provide Aralkyl lactams is capricious in nature. A protocol... 

More complex products are obtained from cyclizations in which the oxidizable functionality and the alkene are present in the same molecule. y9-Keto esters have been used extensively for Mn(III)-based oxidative cyclizations and react with Mn(OAc)3 at room temperature or slightly above [4, 10, 11, 15], They may be cyclic or acyclic and may be a-unsubstituted or may contain an a-alkyl or chloro substituent. Cycloalkanones are formed if the unsaturated chain is attached to the ketone. y-Lactones are formed from allylic acetoacetates [10, 11]. Less acidic /3-keto amides have recently been used for the formation of lactams or cycloalkanones [37]. Malonic esters have also been widely used and form radicals at 60-80 °C. Cycloalkanes are formed if an unsaturated chain is attached to the a-position. y-Lactones are formed from allylic malonates [10, 11]. yff-Diketones have been used with some success for cyclizations to both alkenes and aromatic rings [10, 11]. Other acidic carbonyl compounds such as fi-keto acids, /3-keto sulfoxides, j8-keto sulfones, and P-nitro ketones have seen limited use [10, 11]. We have recently found that oxidative cyclizations of unsaturated ketones can be carried out in high yield in acetic acid at 80 °C if the ketone selectively enolizes to one side and the product cannot enolize... 

In general, aldehydes, ketones, acids, esters, and acid chlorides are all reduced to the corresponding alcohols hy this reagent. Alkyl halides are unreactive towards DIBAL. Amides are reduced to amines, while nitriles afford aldehydes upon hydrolysis of an intermediate imine. Isocyanates are also reduced to the corresponding imines. Nitro compounds are reduced to hydroxy-lamines. Disulfides are reduced to thiols, while sulfides, suhbnes, and sulfonic acids are unreactive in toluene at 0°C. Tosylates are converted quantitatively to the corresponding alkanes. Cyclic imides can be reduced to carbinol lactams. 

---