Carbamoyl Radical‐Mediated Synthesis and Semipinacol Rearrangement of β‐Lactam Diols

In an approach to the biologically important 6‐azabicyclo[3.2.1]octane ring system, the scope of the tandem 4‐exo‐trig carbamoyl radical cyclization—dithiocarbamate group transfer reaction to ring‐fused β‐lactams is evaluated. β‐Lactams fused to five‐, six‐, and seven‐membered rings are prepared in good to excellent yield, and with moderate to complete control at the newly formed dithiocarbamate stereocentre. No cyclization is observed with an additional methyl substituent on the terminus of the double bond. Elimination of the dithiocarbamate group gives α,β‐ or β,γ‐unsaturated lactams depending on both the methodology employed (base‐mediated or thermal) and the nature of the carbocycle fused to the β‐lactam. Fused β‐lactam diols, obtained from catalytic OsO₄‐mediated dihydroxylation of α,β‐unsaturated β‐lactams, undergo semipinacol rearrangement via the corresponding cyclic sulfite or phosphorane to give keto‐bridged bicyclic amides by exclusive N‐acyl group migration. A monocyclic β‐lactam diol undergoes Appel reaction at a primary alcohol in preference to semipinacol rearrangement. Preliminary investigations into the chemo‐ and stereoselective manipulation of the two carbonyl groups present in a representative 7,8‐dioxo‐6‐azabicyclo[3.2.1]octane rearrangement product are also reported.     

Gold‐Catalyzed Cyclization Leads to a Bridged Tetracyclic Indolenine that Represses β‐Lactam Resistance

A gold‐catalyzed desilylative cyclization was developed for facile synthesis of bridged tetracyclic indolenines, a common motif in many natural indole alkaloids. An antimicrobial screen of the cyclization products identified one compound which selectively potentiates β‐lactam antibiotics in methicillin‐resistant S. aureus (MRSA), and re‐sensitizes a variety of MRSA strains to β‐lactams.     

N‐(p‐Chloro­phenyl)‐3,3‐di­phenyl‐4‐(β‐phenyl­styryl)azetidin‐2‐one

In the title compound, C₃₅H₂₆ClNO, the four‐membered β‐lactam ring is essentially planar, with a maximum deviation of 0.012 (1) Å for the N atom. The C—C bond lengths in the β‐lactam ring are 1.591 (2) and 1.549 (2) Å. The two phenyl rings attached to the β‐lactam ring are nearly perpendicular to each other [83.2 (1)°].     

Palladium‐Catalyzed Oxidative Carbonylation of N‐Allylamines for the Synthesis of β‐Lactams

β‐Lactam scaffolds are considered to be ideal building blocks for the synthesis of nitrogen‐containing compounds. A new palladium‐catalyzed oxidative carbonylation of N‐allylamines for the synthesis of α‐methylene‐β‐lactams is reported. DFT calculations suggest that the formation of β‐lactams via a four‐membered‐ring transition state is favorable.     

Ir‐Catalyzed Asymmetric Hydrogenation of α‐Alkylidene β‐Lactams and Cyclobutanones

Chiral β‐lactams and cyclobutanones are present in numerous natural and pharmaceutical products. The stereoselective construction of chiral four‐membered cyclic compounds is an ongoing challenge for the chemical community. Herein, we report a highly stereocontrolled construction of four‐membered ring (mini‐sized) β‐lactams and cyclobutanones via an Ir/ In‐BiphPHOX ‐catalyzed asymmetric hydrogenation, providing the corresponding optically active four‐membered ring carbonyl products bearing an α‐chiral carbon center with excellent yields (up to 99%) and enantioselectivities (up to 98%) under mild reaction conditions (1.0—2.5 bar H₂ for 1.0—10 h). The reaction presents wide substrate scope. Diverse transformations of the catalyzed products were also conducted to show the potential utility of this protocol.     

[2+2] Cycloaddition Reactions of Imines with Cyclic Ketenes: Synthesis of 1,3‐Thiazolidine Derived Spiro‐β‐lactams and Their Transformations

Unsymmetric cyclic ketenes were generated from N‐acyl‐1,3‐thiazolidine‐2‐carboxylic acids 1a – c by means of Mukaiyama's reagent, and then reacted with imines 2a – c to the new, isomeric spiro‐β‐lactams 3 and 4 via [2+2] cycloaddition (Staudinger ketene–imine reaction; Scheme 1). The reactions were stereoselective (Table 1) and mainly afforded the spiro‐β‐lactams with a relative trans configuration. The spiro‐β‐lactams could be transformed into the corresponding monocyclic β‐lactams by means of thiazolidine ring opening or into substituted thiazolidines via hydrolysis of the β‐lactam ring.     

2,3:4,6‐Di‐O‐isopropylidene‐α‐l‐sorbofuranose and 2,3‐O‐isopropylidene‐α‐l‐sorbofuranose

In the title compounds, C₁₂H₂₀O₆, (I), and C₉H₁₆O₆, (II), the five‐membered furanose ring adopts a ⁴T₃ conformation and the five‐membered 1,3‐dioxolane ring adopts an E₃ conformation. The six‐membered 1,3‐dioxane ring in (I) adopts an almost ideal ^OC₃ conformation. The hydrogen‐bonding patterns for these compounds differ substantially: (I) features just one intramolecular O—H...O hydrogen bond [O...O = 2.933 (3) Å], whereas (II) exhibits, apart from the corresponding intramolecular O—H...O hydrogen bond [O...O = 2.7638 (13) Å], two intermolecular bonds of this type [O...O = 2.7708 (13) and 2.7730 (12) Å]. This study illustrates both the similarity between the conformations of furanose, 1,3‐dioxolane and 1,3‐dioxane rings in analogous isopropylidene‐substituted carbohydrate structures and the only negligible influence of the presence of a 1,3‐dioxane ring on the conformations of furanose and 1,3‐dioxolane rings. In addition, in comparison with reported analogs, replacement of the –CH₂OH group at the C1‐furanose position by another group can considerably affect the conformation of the 1,3‐dioxolane ring.     

19F‐NMR Reveals the Role of Mobile Loops in Product and Inhibitor Binding by the São Paulo Metallo‐β‐Lactamase

Resistance to β‐lactam antibiotics mediated by metallo‐β‐lactamases (MBLs) is a growing problem. We describe the use of protein‐observe ¹⁹F‐NMR (PrOF NMR) to study the dynamics of the São Paulo MBL (SPM‐1) from β‐lactam‐resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa . Cysteinyl variants on the α3 and L3 regions, which flank the di‐Zn^II active site, were selectively ¹⁹F‐labeled using 3‐bromo‐1,1,1‐trifluoroacetone. The PrOF NMR results reveal roles for the mobile α3 and L3 regions in the binding of both inhibitors and hydrolyzed β‐lactam products to SPM‐1. These results have implications for the mechanisms and inhibition of MBLs by β‐lactams and non‐β‐lactams and illustrate the utility of PrOF NMR for efficiently analyzing metal chelation, identifying new binding modes, and studying protein binding from a mixture of equilibrating isomers.     

Synthesis and Crystal Structure of Octahydro‐5H,12H‐4,11‐methano‐1H,7H‐bis[1,2,5]oxadiazolo[3,4‐d:3′,4′‐j][1,7,3,9]dioxadiazacyclododecine

The unusual 12‐membered ring compound, octahydro‐5H,12H‐4,11‐methano‐1H,7H‐bis[1,2,5]oxadiazolo[3,4‐d:3′,4′‐j][1,7,3,9]dioxadiazacyclododecine is obtained from the acid catalyzed reaction of 3‐amino‐4‐hydroxymethylfurazan with formaldehyde instead of the expected methylene‐bridged compound, 4,4′‐methylenebis[4,5‐dihydro‐7H‐[1,2,5]oxadiazolo[3,4‐d][1,3]oxazine]. The compound crystallizes in Tetragonal, P4₃2₁2, a = 6.4141(4) Å, b = 6.4141(4) Å, c = 26.525(3) Å, α = 90°, β = 90°, γ = 90°, V = 1091.27(16) ų, Z = 4, dcalc = 1.614 Mg/m³.     

Synthesis of Glycaro‐1,5‐lactams and Tetrahydrotetrazolopyridine‐5‐carboxylates: Inhibitors of β‐D‐Glucuronidase and α‐L‐Iduronidase

The known glucaro‐1,5‐lactam 8 , its diastereoisomers 9 – 11 , and the tetrahydrotetrazolopyridine‐5‐carboxylates 12 – 14 were synthesised as potential inhibitors of β‐D ‐glucuronidases and α‐L ‐iduronidases. The known 2,3‐di‐O‐benzyl‐4,6‐O‐benzylidene‐D ‐galactose ( 16 ) was transformed into the D ‐galactaro‐ and L ‐altraro‐1,5‐lactams 9 and 11 via the galactono‐1,5‐lactam 21 in twelve steps and in an overall yield of 13 and 2%, respectively. A divergent strategy, starting from the known tartaric anhydride 41 , led to the D ‐glucaro‐1,5‐lactam 8 , D ‐galactaro‐1,5‐lactam 9 , L ‐idaro‐1,5‐lactam 10 , and L ‐altraro‐1,5‐lactam 11 in ten steps and in an overall yield of 4–20%. The anhydride 41 was transformed into the L ‐threuronate 46 . Olefination of 46 to the (E)‐ or (Z)‐alkene 47 or 48 followed by reagent‐ or substrate‐controlled dihydroxylation, lactonisation, azidation, reduction, and deprotection led to the lactams 8 – 11 . The tetrazoles 12 – 14 were prepared in an overall yield of 61–81% from the lactams 54, 28 , and 67 , respectively, by treatment with Tf₂O and NaN₃, followed by saponification, esterification, and hydrogenolysis. The lactams 8 – 11 and 40 and the tetrazoles 12 – 14 are medium‐to‐strong inhibitors of β‐D ‐glucuronidase from bovine liver. Only the L ‐ido‐configured lactam 10 (K_i = 94 μM ) and the tetrazole 14 (K_i = 1.3 mM ) inhibit human α‐L ‐iduronidase.     

Liquid‐phase synthesis of mixture‐based bicyclic β‐lactam libraries

Five sets of 27‐membered combinatorial libraries of alicyclic β‐lactams were prepared via liquid‐phase Ugi 4‐center 3‐component reactions (U‐4C‐3CR) utilizing 3 different cis β‐amino acids, 3 different isonitriles and 5×3 sets of aldehydes. Through combinations of the building blocks of one of these libraries, all of the possible sublibraries were also generated. A few azetidinone derivatives were synthesized individually by parallel synthesis.     

Synthesis of Novel β‐Lactams from Phenothiazin‐10‐ylacetic Acid

The first synthesis of 3‐phenothiazine‐β‐lactams is herein reported. Thirteen new derivatives of β‐lactams were synthesized using various Schiff bases and (phenothiazin‐10‐yl)acetic acid, which in turn was prepared starting from phenothiazine. The sole product of the Staudinger ketene–imine [2 + 2] cycloaddition reaction is the trans‐β‐lactam. All the synthesized compounds were characterized by elemental analyses and spectral (IR, ¹H‐NMR, and ¹³C‐NMR) data.     

Spiro[4H‐pyran‐3,3′‐oxindoles] Derived from 1,2,3,4‐tetrahydroquinoline—Part 2

Reaction of 5,6‐dihydro‐4H‐pyrrolo[3,2,1‐ij ]quinoline‐1,2‐dione ( 3 ) with two equivalents of cyclic 1,3‐dicarbonyl compounds under acid catalysis generates spiro[4H‐pyran‐3,3′‐oxindoles] 7 . In contrast, though base catalysis also achieves double addition, the final products 8 result from subsequent ring opening of the five‐membered lactam via intramolecular attack by enolate; these products can be converted into the spiro[4H‐pyran‐3,3′‐oxindoles] by treatment with acid.     

The Assembly of Macrocyclic Bis‐ and Tetra‐β‐lactams with Embedded Platinum or Palladium Square‐Planar Centers

The synthesis, isolation, and full characterization of different types of stable, metal‐assembled macrocyclic β‐lactams are reported. By using adequately functionalized bis‐β‐lactams with defined stereochemistry as building blocks, a series of mono‐ and bimetallic Pd and Pt macrocycles has been prepared in good to quantitative yields. These novel structures combine the β‐lactam moiety with transition‐metal fragments with cis‐square‐planar geometry and constitute a new class of metal‐assembled cavities involving molecules with biological relevance as building blocks. By combining the adequate ligands, metallic fragments, and tuning the reaction conditions, different mono‐ and bimetallic macrocyclic β‐lactam cavities can be selectively obtained. Macrocycles with Pt–ethynyl groups are suitable to form host–silver triflate guest complexes in a tweezer fashion.     

Reactions of Acid Chlorides/Ketenes with 2‐Substituted 4,5‐Dihydro‐4,4‐dimethyl‐1,3‐thiazoles: Formation of Penam Derivatives

Addition reactions of acid chlorides with various 2‐substituted 4,5‐dihydro‐4,4‐dimethyl‐5‐(methylsulfanyl)‐1,3‐thiazoles under basic conditions were studied. Two kinds of products were obtained from these additions, β‐lactams and non‐β‐lactam adducts. When the reaction was carried out with 4,5‐dihydro‐1,3‐thiazoles with a Ph substituent at C(2), the reaction proceeded via formal [2+2] cycloaddition and led to the correspoding β‐lactam. On the other hand, acid chlorides and 4,5‐dihydro‐1,3‐thiazoles bearing an α‐H‐atom at the C(2)‐substituent underwent C(α)‐ and/or N‐addition reactions and furnished non‐β‐lactam adducts, i.e., C(α)‐ and/or N‐acylated 1,3‐thiazolidines. The attempted transformations of sulfonyl esters of exo‐6‐hydroxy penams to endo‐6‐azido penams failed, although they were successful with mono‐β‐lactams under the same conditions.     

Access to β‐Lactams by Enantioselective Palladium(0)‐Catalyzed C(sp3)H Alkylation

β‐Lactams are very important structural motifs because of their broad biological activities as well as their propensity to engage in ring‐opening reactions. Transition‐metal‐catalyzed C? H functionalizations have emerged as strategy enabling yet uncommon highly efficient disconnections. In contrast to the significant progress of Pd⁰‐catalyzed C? H functionalization for aryl–aryl couplings, related reactions involving the formation of saturated C(sp³)? C(sp³) bonds are elusive. Reported here is an asymmetric C? H functionalization approach to β‐lactams using readily accessible chloroacetamide substrates. Important aspects of this transformation are challenging C(sp³)? C(sp³) and strain‐building reductive eliminations to for the four‐membered ring. In general, the β‐lactams are formed in excellent yields and enantioselectivities using a bulky taddol phosphoramidite ligand in combination with adamantyl carboxylic acid as cocatalyst.     

Protonation‐Assisted Conjugate Addition of Axially Chiral Enolates: Asymmetric Synthesis of Multisubstituted β‐Lactams from α‐Amino Acids

β‐Lactams with contiguous tetra‐ and trisubstituted carbon centers were prepared in a highly enantioselective manner through 4‐exo‐trig cyclization of axially chiral enolates generated from readily available α‐amino acids. Use of a weak base (metal carbonate) in a protic solvent (EtOH) is the key to the smooth production of β‐lactams. Use of the weak base is expected to generate the axially chiral enolates in a very low concentration, which undergo intramolecular conjugate addition without suffering intermolecular side reactions. Highly strained β‐lactam enolates thus formed through reversible intramolecular conjugate addition (4‐exo‐trig cyclization) of axially chiral enolates undergo prompt protonation by EtOH in the reaction media (not during the work‐up procedure) to give β‐lactams in up to 97 % ee.     

Selective Palladium(II)‐Catalyzed Carbonylation of Methylene β‐C−H Bonds in Aliphatic Amines

Palladium(II)‐catalyzed C−H carbonylation reactions of methylene C−H bonds in secondary aliphatic amines lead to the formation of trans ‐disubstituted β‐lactams in excellent yields and selectivities. The generality of the C−H carbonylation process is aided by the action of xantphos‐based ligands and is important in securing good yields for the β‐lactam products.     

Two isomeric 2‐[4‐chloro‐2‐fluoro‐5‐(prop‐2‐ynyloxy)phenyl]hexahydro­isoindole‐1,3‐dione compounds

The molecular structures of 2‐[4‐chloro‐2‐fluoro‐5‐(prop‐2‐ynyloxy)phenyl]‐1,3,4,5,6,7‐hexahydro­isoindole‐1,3‐dione, C₁₇H₁₃ClFNO₃, (I), and the isomeric compound 2‐[4‐chloro‐2‐fluoro‐5‐(prop‐2‐ynyloxy)phenyl]‐cis‐1,3,3a,4,7,7a‐hexahydro­isoindole‐1,3‐dione, (II), are, as anticipated, significantly different in their conformations and in the distances between the farthest two atoms. The six‐membered ring of the 1,3,4,5,6,7‐hexahydro­isoindole‐1,3‐dione moiety in (I) adopts a half‐chair conformation. The dihedral angle between the five‐membered dione ring of (I) and the benzene ring is 50.96 (7)°. The six‐membered ring of the cis‐1,3,3a,4,7,7a‐hexahydro­isoindole‐1,3‐dione moiety in (II) adopts a boat conformation. The dihedral angle in (II) between the five‐membered dione ring and the benzene ring is 61.03 (13)°. In the crystal structures, the molecules are linked by C—H⋯O hydrogen bonds and weak π–π interactions. Compound (I) is a much more potent herbicide than (II). The Cl⋯H distances between the farthest two atoms in (I) and (II) are 11.37 and 9.97 Å, respectively.     

Synthesis and Penicillin‐binding Protein Inhibitory Assessment of Dipeptidic 4‐Phenyl‐β‐lactams from α‐Amino Acid‐derived Imines

Monocyclic β‐lactams revive the research field on antibiotics, which are threatened by the emergence of resistant bacteria. A six‐step synthetic route was developed, providing easy access to new 3‐amino‐1‐carboxymethyl‐4‐phenyl‐β‐lactams, of which the penicillin‐binding protein (PBP) inhibitory potency was demonstrated biochemically.