PdII/AgI-Catalyzed Room-Temperature Reaction of γ-Hydroxy Lactams: Mechanism, Scope, and Antistaphylococcal Activity.

The present work reports a PdII/AgI-promoted amidoalkylation reaction involving various γ-hydroxy lactams and C/O/S nucleophiles at room temperature. The dual mode of activation of both the electrophile and nucleophile by in situ generated catalytically active cationic PdII species facilitates the reaction at room temperature. Among the synthesized isoindoline derivatives, three compounds are found to be active against vancomycin and methicillin-resistant S. aureus strain with appreciable MIC values.