Enantioselective Rh-Catalyzed Carboacylation of C═N Bonds via C–C Activation of Benzocyclobutenones

Herein we describe the first enantioselective Rh-catalyzed carboacylation of oximes (imines) via C-C activation. In this transformation, the benzocyclobutenone C1-C2 bond is selectively activated by a low valent rhodium catalyst and subsequently the resulting two Rh-C bonds add across a C═N bond, which provides a unique approach to access chiral lactams. A range of polycyclic nitrogen-containing scaffolds were obtained in good yields with excellent enantioselectivity. Further derivatization of the lactam products led to a rapid entry to various novel fused heterocycles.