Direct intermolecular hydroacylation of N,N-dialkylacrylamides with aldehydes catalyzed by a cationic rhodium(I)/dppb complex.

[structure: see text]. A cationic rhodium(I)/dppb complex catalyzed direct intermolecular hydroacylation of N,N-dialkylacrylamides with both aliphatic and aromatic aldehydes has been achieved through the stabilization of acylrhodium intermediates by alkene chelation to rhodium. This method represents a versatile new route to gamma-ketoamides in view of the high atom economy and commercial availability of substrates.