Easy access to fused tricyclic beta-lactams starting with o-bromobenza
ldehyde and allyl amine has been devised using intromolecular aryl rad
ical cyclization under the influence of tributyltin hydride. The major
product resulted from exo cyclization leading to the formation of a 6
-membered ring and thus a tricyclic beta-lactam. In some cases a minor
product was a 7-membered ring-containing tricyclic beta-lactam formed
by endo cyclization.