Crystalline 1 beta-methyl-2-formyl carbapenem pNB esters were prepared by o
smium-mediated oxidative cleavage of the corresponding 2-vinyl derivatives.
Reduction of the 2-formyl compounds gave the corresponding 2-hydroxymethyl
derivatives, which are key intermediates for the anti-MRS carbapenem candi
date (1). (C) 1999 Published by Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.