What is the role of N-alkenyl trichloroacetamides in the synthesis of lactams?

A study discusses a catalyst-free photo-induced aerobic radical synthesis of γ- and δ-lactams from N-alkenyl trichloroacetamides under violet light irradiation in 2-methyltetrahydrofuran.

N-alkenyl trichloroacetamides serve as the starting materials for the synthesis of lactams. They undergo a radical cyclization process under violet light irradiation in the presence of tetrahydrofuran (THF) or 2-methyltetrahydrofuran (2-MeTHF) to form γ- and δ-lactams. The trichloroacetamide group is crucial for the reaction to proceed, as it provides the necessary radical intermediates for the cyclization.