Table 2. Rh-catalyzed alkylation of aromatic amide 1a with α,β-unsaturated γ-butyrolactones 2b–2h ^{a , b} .

^aReaction conditions: amide 1 (0.3 mmol), lactone 2a (0.9 mmol), [RhCl(cod)]₂ (0.015 mmol), K₂HPO₄ (0.075 mmol), toluene (1 mL), at 160 °C for 24 h.

^bIsolated yields. The number in parentheses denotes the ratio of cis and trans isomers.

^cThe reaction was run for 12 h.

^dKOAc was used in place of K₂HPO₄.