Diastereoselective Synthesis of Secondary Enamides

Significance

A new Ru-based catalyst system has been developed for the synthesis of enamides from primary amides and terminal alkynes. The reaction proceeds with high chemo- and regioselectivity to provide the monovinylated enamides. The formation of the Z-enamides is favored under the reaction conditions. By using an in situ isomerization, the corresponding E-enamides can also be selectively accessed.