Internal nucleophilic catalyst mediated cyclisation/ring expansion cascades for the synthesis of medium-sized lactones and lactams

A strategy for the synthesis of medium-sized lactones and lactams from linear precursors is described in which an amine acts as an internal nucleophilic catalyst to facilitate a novel cyclisation/ring expansion cascade sequence. This method obviates the need to use high-dilution conditions usually associated with medium-ring cyclisation protocols, as the reactions operate exclusively via kinetically favourable 'normal' sized cyclic transition states. This same feature also enables biaryl-containing medium-sized rings to be prepared with complete atroposelectivity via point-to-axial chirality transfer.