Synthesis of beta-lactams from azetidine carboxylic acid esters

摘要

Azetidine carboxylic acid esters are converted into enol silyl ethers which, as enamino ketene acetals, undergo ready oxidative cleavage of the ethylenically unsaturated double bond, e.g. by dye-sensitized photo- oxygenation, to form beta-lactams. The beta-lactams and substitution products thereof are useful intermediates in the synthesis of biologically active lactams.