Pd-catalyzed tandem cyclization of ethyl glyoxalate and amines: rapid assembly of highly substituted cyclic dehydro-α-amino acid derivatives.

A novel cascade cyclization of ethyl glyoxalate and amines proceeds in the presence of Pd(TFA)(2) (5 mol %) to give the cyclic dehydro-α-amino acid derivatives. This method provides a fast and simple access to highly substituted dihydro-pyrrol-2-ones in good yields.