Selectivities in the reaction of vicinal diimines and acyl chlorides

The reaction of vicinal diimines and acyl chlorides in the presence of triethylamine produces 3-imino-β-lactams and/or bis-β-lactams chemo-, regio-, and stereoselectively, which are important intermediates in pharmaceutical and organic synthesis. The selectivities in the reaction have been investigated. The results indicate that all diimines react with various ketenes generated from acyl chlorides in the presence of triethylamine to give rise to cis-4-imino-β-lactams (mono-cis-β-lactams) diastereoselectively due to the electron-withdrawing property of the imino group in the vicinal diimines. Bis-β-lactams were obtained from diimines via the mono-cis-β-lactams as intermediates. Only ketenes with strong electron-donating substituents can react with the mono-cis-β-lactams to yield bis-β-lactams, affording a pair of C2-symmetric cis-bis-β-lactams with symmetric diimines, two or four pairs of diastereomeric bis-β-lactams with ketoaldehyde-derived unsymmetric diimines depending on the steric hindrance of their N-substituents. The current investigation provides very important information for the selective preparation of mono- and bis-β-lactams from vicinal diimines.     

Stereoselective control in the Staudinger reactions involving monosubstituted ketenes with electron acceptor substituents: experimental investigation and theoretical rationalization

The stereoselectivity of the Staudinger reactions involving monosubstituted ketenes with electron acceptor substituents was investigated experimentally by determination of the product stereochemistry and theoretically via DFT calculations. The results indicate that imines preferentially attack the less sterically hindered exo-side of the ketenes to generate zwitterionic intermediates. Subsequently, for cyclic imines, the intermediates undergo a conrotatory ring closure directly to produce β-lactams, while for linear imines, the imine moiety of the intermediates isomerizes to more stable intermediates, which further undergo a conrotatory ring closure to afford trans-β-lactams. The steric hindrance and the isomerization, rather than the torquoelectronic effect, play crucial roles in controlling the stereoselectivity in the practical Staudinger reactions involving monosubstituted ketenes with electron acceptor substituents, although the unaccessible borylketene with a powerful electron acceptor group controls the stereoselectivity torquoelectronically, in theory.     

Asymmetric synthesis of azetidin-2-ones by [2+2] cycloaddition using chiral imines derived from d-(+)-glucose

Asymmetric synthesis of β-lactams by the [2+2] cycloaddition of ketenes with chiral imines derived from d-(+)-glucose was carried out; predominantly cis-β-lactams were formed with very high diastereoselectivity. The stereochemistry at C-3 and C-4 was established as 3S and 4R from the known absolute configuration of the sugar moiety.     

Asymmetric synthesis of β-lactams by [2+2] cycloaddition using 1,4:3,6-dianhydro-d-glucitol (isosorbide) derived chiral pools

Highly diastereoselective synthesis of cis-β-lactams via [2+2] cycloaddition reactions of imines derived from a chiral bicyclic aldehyde and ketenes is described. The chiral bicyclic aldehyde as well as chiral acids were prepared from commercially available inexpensive isosorbide. The cycloaddition reaction was found to be highly diastereoselective; in some cases giving a single diastereomer of cis-azetidin-2-one in very good yields. A moderate diastereoselectivity was observed with chiral ketenes derived from isosorbide.     

Synthesis of cis bis-β-lactams via Staudinger cycloaddition reaction using C2-symmetric 1,2-diamines

An efficient stereoselective synthesis of bis-β-lactams via cycloaddition reaction (Staudinger reaction) of ketenes with bisimines derived from C₂-symmetric 1, 2-diamines is described. The reaction provided diastereomeric mixture of meso and C₂-symmetric cis-bis-β-lactams with higher selectivity for meso-bis-β-lactams.     

Stereoselective synthesis of sugar-based β-lactam derivatives: docking studies and its biological evaluation

Highly diastereoselective synthesis of cis-β-lactams via [2+2] cycloaddition reactions of sugar-imine derivative possessing free hydroxyl groups at C-2 and C-3 positions and ketenes is described. exo-Approach of sugar-imine with ketene leads to the stereoselective formation of cis product and it is facilitated by hydrogen bonding interaction of C2–OH with carbonyl group of ketene. Docking studies show that these derivatives are having greater affinity towards PBP and it has been validated by in vivo studies. Among the different sugar-based azetidine-2-ones, compounds 6a and 6d were superior in activity to the commercial antibiotic tetracycline.     

Seleno-β-lactams: synthesis of monocyclic and spirocyclic selenoazetidin-2-ones

An efficient protocol for the synthesis of novel seleno-β-lactams using operationally simple strategies is presented. 3-Phenyl/benzylseleno-β-lactams, obtained from 2-phenyl/benzylselenoethanoic acids, are transformed to cis-3-chloro-3-phenyl/benzylseleno-β-lactams, which undergo reaction with various active aliphatic and aromatic substrates catalyzed by Lewis acid to produce cis-3-alkoxy-3-phenyl/benzylseleno-β-lactams and C-3 monosubstituted seleno-β-lactams. Halogen mediated intraselenyl cyclization of cis-3-(prop-2-ynyloxy)-3-benzylseleno-β-lactams affords novel spiro seleno-β-lactams.     

Chiral spiro-β-lactams from 6-diazopenicillanates

Chiral spiro-β-lactam derivatives have been prepared via stereoselective 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition of 6-diazopenicillanates. Using dipolarophiles such as acrylonitrile, acrylates or methyl vinyl ketone spiro-2-pyrazoline-β-lactams were obtained, whereas the cycloaddition with N-substituted-maleimides afforded spiro-1-pyrazoline-β-lactams. 6-Diazopenicillanates also reacted with electron-deficient alkynes to give the corresponding spiro-3H-pyrazole-β-lactam as single product. The observed stereoselectivity can be explained considering that the major product results from the addition to the less sterically hindered α-side of the β-lactam. Microwave-induced denitrogenation of spiro-1-pyrazoline-β-lactams allowed the stereoselective synthesis of novel spirocyclopropyl-β-lactams. The rationalization of the observed selectivity was supported by electronic structure calculations.     

Stereoselective synthesis and Lewis acid mediated functionalization of novel 3-methylthio-β-lactams

A proficient etiquette for the stereoselective synthesis of novel 3-methylthio-β-lactams and their Lewis acid mediated functionalization is described. Treatment of 2-methylthioethanoic acid and appropriate imines in the Staudinger reaction leads to the stereocontrolled synthesis of novel trans-3-methylthio-β-lactams in excellent yields. cis-3-Chloro-3-methylthio-β-lactams, obtained from stereoselective chlorination of trans-3-methylthio-β-lactams using N-chlorosuccinimide (NCS) and AIBN, were subjected to Lewis acid (TiCl₄ or SnCl₄) mediated functionalization using various active aromatic, heterocyclic and aliphatic compounds (nucleophiles). This reaction provides an easy access to novel, stereoselective cis-3-monosubstituted-3-methylthio-β-lactams, which further undergo smooth desulfurization with Raney-nickel to afford C-3 cis- and trans-monosubstituted-β-lactams. The cis or trans configuration of the hydrogen/chloro/nucleophile substituent at C-3 was assigned with respect to C4–H.     

自由基环化制备β-内酰胺的理论研究

使用密度泛函方法在UB3LYP/6-311＋＋G(3df, 2p)水平上对自由基环化合成β-内酰胺的四种反应途径进行理论研究. 结合Marcus理论对影响反应的热力学及动力学因素进行分析, 发现氨基甲酰基自由基4-exo环合反应是理想的动力学控制过程; 酰胺自由基的4-exo环合反应与5-endo环合反应相比是动力学有利的转化过程; 单取代的酰胺烷基自由基的4-exo环合反应是一类动力学和热力学都较为不利的反应; 羰基自由基加成亚胺N＝C双键的4-exo环合反应与5-endo环合反应相比动力学不利而热力学有利.     

Stereoselective synthesis and characterization of novel trans-4-(thiophenyl)pyrazolyl-β-lactams and their C–3 functionalization

A stereoselective synthesis and C–3 functionalization of a long series of novel hybrid 4-(thiophenyl)pyrazolyl-β-lactams have been carried out. The divergent substrate scope and mechanistic insights were examined to delineate the generality of reaction that favored trans-β-lactams 4a-q almost exclusively in all cases. The C–3 functionalization was achieved by Lewis acid assisted nucleophilic substitution reaction of cis-3-chloro-β-lactams 6a-e to afford cis-3-monosubstituted-β-lactams 7a-e. The cis stereochemistry of β-lactams 7a-e was further established by stereospecific desulfurization with Raney-nickel, in representative cases (7a,b), leading to the formation of cis-β-lactams 8a,b. The structures and stereochemical assignments for synthesized β-lactams have been unambiguously confirmed using FT-IR, 1D NMR (¹H and ¹³C), 2D NMR (¹H–¹H COSY, ¹H–¹³C HSQC and ¹³C DEPT–135), elemental analysis (CHN), mass spectrometry (ESI-MS) and single crystal X-ray crystallography, in representative cases (4b,e). The cis and trans configuration of the hydrogen/chloro/nucleophile substituent at C–3 was assigned with respect C4–H of the β-lactam ring.     

Comprehensive study towards the desulfonylation/desulfinylation of cis-3-functionalized 3-phenylsulfonyl/sulfinyl-β-lactams to access novel cis-3-monosubstituted-β-lactams

An inclusive study towards the stereospecific synthesis of novel cis-3-monosubstituted-β-lactams from cis-3-functionalized 3-phenylsulfonyl/sulfinyl-β-lactams is described. 3-Sulfinyl-β-lactams 5/5? successfully furnished stereospecific cis-3-monosubstituted-β-lactams 6, however 3-sulfonyl-β-lactams 2 failed to give the desulfurized product 6?. The final stereochemical and structural conformations of novel β-lactams were established by single crystal X-ray crystallographic study (5c). The cis configuration of the β-lactams 5/5? and 6 was assigned in relevance to E and C4-H and C3-H and C4-H respectively.     

Thermolysis of 1-phthalimidoaziridine-2-carbonitriles in the presence of dipolarophiles

Thermolysis of trans-3-phenyl-1-phthalimidoaziridine-2-carbonitrile and trans-1-phthalimidoaziridine-2,3-dicarbonitrile in the presence of several dipolarophiles involves 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition to intermediate azomethine ylides and leads to 1-phthalimidopyrrolidine derivatives with good yields and high stereoselectivity. Thermally induced opening of the three-membered ring in trans-2,3-disubstituted 1-phthalimidoaziridines occurs in conrotatory mode to produce the corresponding cis-azomethine ylides in keeping with the orbital symmetry conservation rules. The relative configuration of substituents in the dipolarophiles is retained, which implies concerted mechanism of the addition.     

Mechanistic Investigation of the Ring Opening in the Staudinger Cycloaddition Involving Ketenes with Electron‐Withdrawing Substituents

The cycloaddition of ketenes and imines (Staudinger cycloaddition) is a general method for the synthesis of various β‐lactams. However, reactions of imines and ketenes with electron‐withdrawing substituents produce α,β‐unsaturated alkenamides, ring‐opening products of the intermediates generated from imines and the ketenes, even as sole products, besides the desired β‐lactams. The mechanism of the formation of α,β‐unsaturated alkenamides was investigated. The results indicate that the α,β‐unsaturated alkenamides are generated via a base‐induced C?C bond isomerization followed by electrocyclic ring opening of the formed azacyclobutenes (=1,2‐dihydroazetes; cf. Scheme 3).     

Cycloadditions of ketenes with cyclic carbodiimides

The cycloaddition of ketenes with cyclic carbodiimides yields β-lactams in good to excellent yields. The cycloaddition of equal molar amounts of diphenyl-, phenylethyl- and phenylketenes with cyclic carbodiimides produced a 1:1 cycloaddition product, the expected β-lactams. However, the cycloaddition of a 2:1 molar ratio of diphenyl- and phenylketenes with 1,3-diazacycloocta-1,2-diene respectively, gave the 2:1 cycloadducts, the tricyclodi-β-lactams. The cycloaddition of methylchloro- and dichloroketenes yielded β-lactams that were very susceptible to hydrolysis to the N-substituted cycloureas. A trapping experiment suggests that these reactions proceed through a stabilized dipolar intermediate.     

The use of N-sulfenylimines in the β-lactam synthon method: Staudinger reaction, oxidation of the cycloadducts and ring opening of β-lactams

Selected N-sulfenylimines act as good nucleophilic partners in the Staudinger reaction with methoxy- and benzyloxy-ketenes. The choice of diisopropylethylamine as a non-nucleophilic Lewis base for the generation of ketenes from acid chlorides is a determining factor for the success of the reaction. N-Sulfenyl-β-lactams are obtained in good to excellent yields and with moderate cis/trans diastereoselectivity. Then, they are quantitatively and selectively transformed to N-sulfinyl- or N-sulfonyl-β-lactams, by adjusting the oxidation state of the sulfur atom. The oxidation process induces an inversion of polarity of the nitrogen atom's substituent and allows a subsequent smooth ring opening by reaction of N-thiolated-β-lactams with various nucleophiles. The overall sequence provides straightforward and efficient route to highly functionalized-β-amino acid derivatives.     

Substituent control in the diastereoselectivity of dipolar cycloadditions of nitrones and their Zn(II) complexes with N-arylmaleimides

The π-π stacking interactions between maleimide's and nitrone's aromatic rings during the 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition were assumed to control the exo-endo selectivity of the reaction. The exo-endo ratios change during the reactions until they reach a constant value, which depends on the substituent. Electron-withdrawing groups favour the exo adduct while electron-donating groups favour the endo adduct. The nitrone ZnBr₂ complexes react much more slowly than the free nitrone and the cycloaddition is exo selective in all cases independent of the substituents on the maleimide's aromatic ring. Thermal retrocycloaddition of the cycloadducts produce the corresponding nitrones. The ring opening in the presence of secondary amines did not induce imine formation. endo Adducts were shown for the first time to be the stable paramagnetic compounds.     

(2-Aryl-2-cyanoethenyl)ketenes---annulated cyanophenols from azidoquinones

Annulated cyanophenols are the products derived from the thermolysis of 3,6-diaryl-2,5-diazido-1,4-benzoquinones in the presence of an alkyne. The transformation is envisaged to involve the following steps: 1)thermal fragmentation of the azidoquinones to arylcyanoketenes, 2) cycloaddition of the ketenes to an alkyne to give 4-aryl-4-cyanocyclobutenones, 3) electrocyclic ring opening of the cyclobutenone to generate (2-aryl-2-cyanoethenyl)ketenes, and 4) ring closure of the conjugated ketenes to give the annulated cyanophenol products. Similarly, analogous products are obtained from the thermolysis of 4-aryl-3-azido-6-chloro-5-ethoxy-1,2-benzoquinones.     

Synthesis of β-lactams with π electron-withdrawing substituents

β-Lactams are crucial structural feature of β-lactam antibiotics and important intermediates in synthetic and pharmaceutical chemistry. Synthetic methods for β-lactams with π electron-withdrawing substituents, such as formyl (carbaldehyde), acyl, imino, carboxylic acids, carboxylates, carboxamides, cyano (carbonitriles), and nitro groups, on their 3- and/or 4-position(s) are presented in this review. The methods are divided mainly into intramolecular cyclizations, cycloaddition, and other methods, for example, Ugi-type reaction of β-keto acids, amines, and isonitriles, and modification of β-lactam derivatives. Cyclizations include cyclization of haloacetamidoacetates(malonates), intramolecular carbene insertion of α-diazoalkanamides, ring-opening cyclization of α,β-epoxyalkanamidoacetates, oxidative coupling of 3-oxoalkanamidoacetates, oxidative cyclization of N-p-hydroxyphenyl β-oxoalkanamides, intramolecular cyclization of aspartic acid derivatives or β-hydroxyalkanamides, and radical cyclization of N-vinyl β-oxoalkanamides. Cycloadditions incorporate Staudinger cycloaddition of ketenes and imines, cycloaddition of nitrones and alkynes, cycloaddition of nitrones and alkylidenecycopropanes and subsequent acidic rearrangement, and condensation of imines and enolates (ethers) of esters. The scope, limitation, and stereoselectivity are also discussed for some methods. Most of the β-lactam derivatives are key intermediates or precursors for preparation of β-lactam antibiotics and their analogs.     

Do lipases also catalyse the ring cleavage of inactivated cyclic trans-β-lactams?

Twelve-membered cyclic cis- and trans-β-lactams 1b and 2b and the corresponding cyclic cis- and trans-β-amino acid enantiomers, 1a, 1c and 2a, 2c were prepared through the CAL-B-catalysed enantioselective ring cleavage of racemic cis-13-azabicyclo[10.2.0]tetradecan-14-one, (±)-1, and trans-13-azabicyclo[10.2.0]tetradecan-14-one, (±)-2. High enantioselectivities (E >200) were observed for the ring opening of both the cis- and trans-β-lactams when the Lipolase-catalysed reactions were performed with 0.5 equiv of H₂O in i-Pr₂O at 70 °C. The resolved β-lactams 1b and 2b (yield ⩾47%) and β-amino acids 1a and 2a (yield ⩾32%) could be easily separated.