The stereoselective formation of β-lactams with acyl ketenes generated from 5-acyl-Meldrum's acids†
Abstract
Acyl ketenes formed during thermal decomposition of 5-acyl-2,2-dimethyl-1,3-dioxa-4,6-diones undergo stereoselective [2+2] cycloaddition to chiral aldimines. We report the first example of optically active 3-acyl-β-lactam formation from Meldrum's acid derivatives.