We disclose a novel, heterogeneous catalytic approach for selective coupling of C1 of N-aryltetrahydroisoquinolines with C3 of indoles in the presence of mesoporous manganese oxides.

A Pd-catalyzed ring-opening of β-lactones with various types of amines (primary, secondary and aryl) to provide β-hydroxy amides with excellent selectivity towards acyl C–O bond cleavage is reported. The utility of this protocol is demonstrated in an asymmetric kinetic resolution providing enantioenriched α-Methylene-β-lactones