A simple and direct synthesis of 3-methylene-1, 4-diarylazetidin-2-ones and (E)-3-arylidene-1-phenylazetidin-2-ones using baylis-hillman derivatives

Abstract

Herein we describe a direct method, promoted by potassium tert-butoxide (KOtBu), for the synthesis of highly substituted α-methylene β-lactams and α-arylidene β-lactams from the amino ester intermediates derived from the acetates and bromo derivatives of the Baylis-Hillman adducts. A variety of β-lactams was synthesized in a single step with good yields. © 2014 CSIRO.