Pd^II/Ag^I‑Catalyzed Room-Temperature Reaction of γ‑Hydroxy Lactams: Mechanism, Scope, and Antistaphylococcal Activity

The present work reports a Pd^II/Ag^I-promoted amidoalkylation reaction involving various γ-hydroxy lactams and C/O/S nucleophiles at room temperature. The dual mode of activation of both the electrophile and nucleophile by in situ generated catalytically active cationic Pd^II species facilitates the reaction at room temperature. Among the synthesized isoindoline derivatives, three compounds are found to be active against vancomycin and methicillin-resistant S. aureus strain with appreciable MIC values.