The selective construction of new C-C or C-heteroatom bonds is frequently the fundamental step in the synthesis of derivatives with high added value. In particular, molecules with C-N bonds are of great interest clue to their widespread use and intrinsic importance. Of the large number of organic compounds with useful biological activity, organic compounds with C-N bonds are among the most prominent. For instance, the nitrogenated gamma-lactamic heterocycles are the basic structures of many substances used as intermediates in the synthesis of important compounds with pharmacological properties such as psychotropics and antihypertensives as well as others with biological properties. In the present work, we reported for the first time an efficient and eco-friendly alternative to obtain N-substituted-gamma-lactams by carbon-nitrogen coupling of 2-pyrrolidinone and 1-heptanal assisted by microwave irradiation, over activated alkali-Norit carbon catalysts in solvent-free conditions. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.