Abstract Alkylation of the aza-enolate of valerolactim methyl ether with electrophiles affords α-alkyl lactims that may be hydrolysed under mild acidic conditions to afford their corresponding α-alkyl-δ-amino esters as their hydrochloride salts. Neutralisation of these salts with base results in smooth intramolecular cyclisation to afford their corresponding α- alkyl lactams in excellent yield.
