α-Lactams (aziridinones) can function to replace two of the three reactants, the oxo- compound and the isonitrile, in the Passerini reaction. Four α-lactams () were reacted with mono-and dicarboxylic acids of positive pKa values to give 2-acyloxycarboxamides () and bis-2-acyloxycarboxamide products and, respectively. The same compounds were also prepared via the Passerini reaction. Acids with a negative pKa decarbonylate α-lactams to ...
