Palladium-Catalyzed Hydroamidocarbonylation of Olefins to Imides

Carbonylation reactions allow the efficient synthesis of all kinds of carbonyl-containing compounds. Here, we report a straightforward synthesis of various imides from olefins and CO for the first time. The established hydroamidocarbonylation reaction affords imides in good yields (up to 90%) and with good regioselectivity (up to 99: 1) when applying different alkenes and amides. The synthetic potential of the method is highlighted by the synthesis of Aniracetam by intramolecular hydroamidocarbonylation. Carbonylation reactions using carbon monoxide (CO) as one of the cheapest and most flexible