ASYMMETRIC-SYNTHESIS OF BETA-LACTAMS - HIGHLY DIASTEREOSELECTIVE ALKYLATION OF CHIRAL 2-CYANO ESTERS

Enolates derived from 10-(dicyclohexylsulfamoyl)isobornyl 2-substitute d-2-cyanoacetates were alkylated with very good yield and high diaster eoselectivity. The reduction of the resulting reaction products and su bsequent cyclization of the p-amino acids led to the corresponding bet a-lactam in high yields. This result paves the way for the development of a versatile and efficient asymmetric synthesis of enantiomerically pure (R)- and (S)-C(3)-disubstituted beta-lactams.