A new preparation of δ-lactams is reported. In the presence of a Lewis acid promoter, alkoxyisocoumarins engage a range of N-aryl and N-alkyl imines to form δ-lactams with a pendent carboalkoxy substituent. A sulfonamide-thiourea catalyst enables the synthesis of these products in moderate to good enantioselectivities.
![Graphical abstract: Formal [4 + 2] cycloaddition of imines with alkoxyisocoumarins](http://hg.y866.cn/compound/lib/scimg/usr/1/C8OB01015C.jpg)