Free-radical-mediated [2 + 2 + 1] cycloaddition of acetylenes, amidines, and CO leading to five-membered α,β-unsaturated lactams

A free-radical-mediated [2 + 2 + 1] cycloaddition reaction comprising acetylenes, amidines, and CO was achieved by radical chain reaction to give five-membered α,β-unsaturated lactams in good yields. Both acyclic and cyclic amidines reacted with a variety of terminal acetylenes to afford monocyclic, bicyclic, and tricyclic lactams. We propose that vinyl radical carbonylation and nucleophilic addition of the amidine onto the resulting α-ketenyl radical give stable intermediates that are ready to undergo five-membered ring closure with elimination of tin radical.