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A novel and highly diastereoselective NBS-mediated cyclization ofN-alkoxy α,β-unsaturated silyl imino ethers to furnish nearly three dozen α-bromoN-alkoxy β-lactams with dual functional handles is described. 

Both metal-catalyzed and organocatalytic transfer hydrogenation reactions are widely employed for the reduction of CO and CN bonds. However, selective transfer hydrogenation reactions of CC bonds remain challenging. Therefore, the chemoselective transfer hydrogenation of olefins under mild conditions and in the absence of metal catalysts, using readily available and inexpensive reducing agents ( i.e. primary and secondary alcohols), will mark a significant advancement towards the development of green transfer hydrogenation strategies. Described herein is an unconventional catalyst-free transfer hydrogenation reaction of activated alkenes using isopropanol as an eco-friendly reductant and solvent. The reaction gives convenient synthetic access to a wide range of substituted malonic acid half oxyesters (SMAHOs) in moderate to good yields. Mechanistic investigations point towards an unprecedented hydrogen bond-assisted transfer hydrogenation process.