Pd-Catalysed oxidative carbonylation of α-amino amides to hydantoins under mild conditions

The common reaction pathway involving unprotected α-amino amides that leads to the formation of symmetrical urea under palladium-catalyzed carbonylative conditions is avoided here. Hydantoins are selectively obtained under mild and safe conditions.

Visible light-mediated cross-coupling of electrophiles: synthesis of α-amino amides from isocyanates and ketimines

Cross-couplings between the electrophilic ketimines and isocyanates are achieved via the visible light-mediated reactivity inversion of the ketimines, affording the desired α-amino amides in high yields, with both metal and metal-free systems.