An expedient, five step synthesis of caprolactam
1 is reported starting from natural L-homoserine. Thekey step is a chemoselective reductive cyclization of
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,
![](/images/gifchars/beta2.gif)
-unsaturated nitrile
10 mediated by Raney-Cotype metals. This hydrogenation is extensively investigated in order to account for the observed productdistribution and yields.