Abstract
Lactams add to Danishefsky's diene 1 yielding N-alkenyl substituted lactams 3-5. The reaction occurs only under pressure (100-300MPa) and, preferentially, in the presence of a mild Lewis acid catalyst such as bismuth chloride or ytterbium triflate. The reactions are fully regioselective and afford linear trans multifunctional 1:1 adducts.