A non-noble metal catalyzed hydrative cyclization of aldehyde-ynamides for efficient and practical synthesis of medium-sized lactams (7-to 9-membered rings) is disclosed.Compared with previous hydrative cyclization for the formation of six-membered lactams (cis-form),a totally inverse diastereoselectivity (trans-form) of medium-sized lactams is observed.In addition,this protocol delivers valuable medium-sized lactams in moderate to good yields with high diastereoselectivities.Moreover,a rational mechanism to understand this inversion of diastereoselectivity is proposed based on theoretical calculations.