The synthesis of α-methylene-γ-lactam derivatives is an interesting subject owing to the biological activities such as cytotoxicity, antitumority, etc. The present review summarizes the methods for the preparation of α-methylene-γ-lactams, which are classified into groups: (1) construction of the α-methylene-γ-lactam ring from acyclic precursors bearing all necessary functional groups and (2) introduction of α-methylene group on to a preformed lactam ring.

Key words: LACTAM P