Chiral 5,6-disubstituted-5,6-dihydro-2(1H)-pyridones were prepared efficien
tly from readily accessible 3,4-disubstituted-2-azetidinones having preadju
sted substituents and stereochemistry through the reductive ring opening of
2-azetidinones followed by Z-selective installation of acetate moiety and
re-cyclization to 2-pyridones. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights re
served.