Formal [4+1] annulation of α,α-dialkyl β-oxo amides and dimethylsulfoxonium methylide: a synthetic route to β-hydroxy-γ-lactams.

A facile and efficient one-pot synthesis of β-hydroxy-γ-lactams from α,α-dialkyl β-oxo amides and trimethylsulfoxonium iodide in the presence of sodium hydride via a tandem Corey-Chaykovsky reaction and an intramolecular lactamization process is developed.