MANUFACTURE OF SUBSTITUTED LACTAM

Preparation of substituted lactams Ia to Ic Ia Ib Ic where n is 0 or 1, X is -O-CO-R1, -O-SO2-R1, -CO-R2, -CO-O-R3 or -CO-NR4R5, R1 is a C1-C8-radical of a carboxylic or sulfonic acid, R2 is C1-C8-alkyl, R3 is H or alkyl, aryl or aralkyl of not more than 8 carbon atoms, R4 and R5 are each H or C1-C4-alkyl or together form a 5-membered or 6-membered ring, by reacting a lactam II II with a vinyl compound III CH2=CH-X and a compound IV which forms free radicals to give Ia, and preparation of Ib by hydrolysis of a compound Ia in which X is (-O-CO-R1) or (-O-SO2-R1), and preparation of Ic by thermolysis of Ib or of a compound Ia in which X is (-O-CO-R1) or (-O-SO2-R1), and the novel substituted lactams Ia and Ib where X is (-O-CO-R1) and (-O-SO2-R1).