Advances in Lactam Chemistry: From Synthetic Strategies to Biological Applications

Dear Colleagues,

Lactams, a class of cyclic amides characterized by their structural diversity and chemical versatility, have long been recognized as privileged scaffolds in both synthetic and medicinal chemistry. Recent developments in lactam chemistry have significantly broadened the scope of their synthesis and application. Advances in catalytic methodologies, including transition metal-mediated cyclizations, C–H activation, and multicomponent reactions, have enabled the efficient and stereocontrolled construction of complex lactam frameworks under increasingly sustainable conditions.

These synthetic innovations have facilitated the design of novel lactam derivatives exhibiting a wide range of biological activities, extending beyond traditional β-lactam antibiotics to enclose anticancer, antiviral, anti-inflammatory, and enzyme inhibitory agents. Furthermore, the integration of computational modeling, structure–activity relationship (SAR) analysis, and high-throughput screening has enhanced the rational optimization of lactam-based compounds with improved potency and selectivity. Overall, these advances highlight the continuing importance of lactam chemistry as a dynamic and interdisciplinary field, bridging modern synthetic methodologies with emerging therapeutic applications.

This Special Issue invites researchers to contribute original research articles that showcase recent advances in the synthesis, mechanistic elucidation, and biological evaluation of lactam-based compounds. Particular emphasis will be placed on innovative synthetic methodologies, sustainable catalytic processes, structure–activity relationship studies, and the discovery of novel therapeutic applications of lactam derivatives. Concise review articles discussing specific reactions involved in the synthesis of natural products containing lactam frameworks, as well as diverse strategies for the preparation of advanced lactam intermediates, are also welcome. 

Dr. Faïza Diaba
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Molecules is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2700 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.