Cu(i) mediated Kinugasa reactions of α,β-unsaturated nitrones: a facile, diastereoselective route to 3-(hydroxy/bromo)methyl-1-aryl-4-(-styryl)azetidin-2-ones

Abstract

The manuscript describes a facile and highly diastereoselective synthesis of cis-3-(hydroxy/bromo)methyl-1-aryl-4-(-styryl)azetidin-2-ones via copper(I) mediated Kinugasa reactions of previously unexplored functionalized α,β-unsaturated nitrones. A variety of functionalized acetylenes and α,β-unsaturated nitrones were studied to yield cis-3-(hydroxy/bromo)methyl-1-aryl-4-(-styryl)azetidin-2-ones in good yields (82%).