Synthesis of 18F‐Labelled β‐Lactams by Using the Kinugasa Reaction

Owing to their broad spectrum of biological activities and low toxicity, β‐lactams are attractive lead structures for the design of novel molecular probes. However, the synthesis of positron emission tomography (PET)‐isotope‐labelled β‐lactams has not yet been reported. Herein, we describe the simple preparation of radiofluorinated β‐lactams by using the fast Kinugasa reaction between ¹⁸F‐labelled nitrone [¹⁸F]‐ 1 and alkynes of different reactivity. Additionally, ¹⁸F‐labelled fused β‐lactams were obtained through the reaction of a cyclic nitrone 7 with radiofluorinated alkynes [¹⁸F]‐ 6 a , b . Radiochemical yields of the Kinugasa reaction products could be significantly increased by the use of different Cu^I ligands, which additionally allowed a reduction in the amount of precursor and/or reaction time. Model radiofluorinated β‐lactam‐peptide and protein conjugates ([¹⁸F]‐ 10 and ¹⁸F‐labelled BSA conjugate) were efficiently obtained in high yield under mild conditions (aq. MeCN, ambient temperature) within a short reaction time, demonstrating the suitability of the developed method for radiolabelling of sensitive molecules such as biopolymers.     

Asymmetric Synthesis of trans‐β‐Lactams by a Kinugasa Reaction on Water

The asymmetric Kinugasa reaction was performed on pure water for the first time without the need for any organic co‐solvents. In contrast to most asymmetric Kinugasa reactions, trans‐β‐lactams were obtained as the major products in good yields, enantioselectivities, and diastereoselectivities (up to 90 % yield, 98 % ee, and >99:1 d.r.). This reaction is atom‐economical, environmentally friendly, and affords synthetically useful but challenging products.     

Two‐Step Synthesis of Multifunctional γ‐Lactams from γ‐Lactone

We present herein an efficient and rapid method for the synthesis of N,1‐dialkyl‐4‐(2‐hydroxyethyl)‐5‐oxopyrrolidine‐3‐carboxamides based on the conversion of γ‐lactone to γ‐lactam via the conjugate addition of primary amines to an ethyl α‐functionalized acrylate followed by intramolecular cyclization.     

Efficient Synthesis of Polycyclic γ‐Lactams by Catalytic Carbonylation of Ene‐Imines via Nickelacycle Intermediates

The nickel(0)‐catalyzed carbonylative cycloaddition of 1,5‐ and 1,6‐ene‐imines with carbon monoxide (CO) is reported. Key to this reaction is the efficient regeneration of the catalytically active nickel(0) species from nickel carbonyl complexes such as [Ni(CO)₃L]. A variety of tri‐ and tetracyclic γ‐lactams were thus prepared in excellent yields with 100 % atom efficiency. Preliminary results on asymmetric derivatives promise potential in the synthesis of enantioenriched polycyclic γ‐lactams.     

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.     

Microwave‐Assisted Synthesis of β‐Lactams and Cyclo‐β‐dipeptides

Different cyclo‐β‐dipeptides were prepared from corresponding N‐substituted β‐alanine derivatives under mild conditions using PhPOCl₂ as activating agent in benzene and Et₃N as base. To evaluate β³‐substituent influence, the amino acids 7 – 26 were synthesized, and a β‐lactam formation reaction was carried out instead of cyclo‐β‐dipeptide formation. The crystal structures of three derivatives of cyclo‐β‐peptides and one β‐lactam are presented.     

New Synthesis of Pyrrolidines via Reaction of γ‐Halocarbanions with Imines

γ‐Chlorocarbanions of proper nucleophilicity, generated from 3‐chloropropyl pentachlorophenyl sulfone (=pentachloro[(3‐chloropropyl)sulfonyl]benzene; 1 ; Ar=C₆Cl₅), add to electron‐deficient formal imines 3a – l to produce anionic adducts that enter intramolecular substitution leading to substituted pyrrolidines. This new and simple synthesis of pyrrolidines mimics a 1,3‐dipolar cycloaddition, although it proceeds in two distinct steps.     

β‐Lactam Preparation via Staudinger Reaction with Activated Dimethylsulfoxide

An efficient synthesis of β‐lactams has been expediently accomplished. These β‐lactams were synthesized by the Staudinger reaction of several substituted imines with various carboxylic acids using activated DMSO at ambient temperature. The imines and substituted acetic acids contain alkyl, aryl, hetero aryl, polycyclic, and 3‐electron‐withdrawing group underwent [2 + 2] ketene‐imine cycloaddition reaction smoothly to obtain the desired β‐lactams in good to excellent yields. This method is cheap, simple, convenient, and efficient, and the products are easily isolated.     

Synthesis and Antimicrobial Evaluation of New Monocyclic β‐Lactams

A simple, practical, and efficient approach to synthesize new series of 2‐(3‐(2,4‐dichlorophenoxy)‐2‐(4‐(dimethylamino)phenyl)‐4‐oxoazetidin‐1‐ylamino)‐N‐arylacetamide by Staudinger [2 + 2] cycloaddition reaction. The titled compounds were evaluated for their antibacterial and antifungal activity against eight microorganisms. All the newly synthesized compounds are characterized by IR, ¹H‐NMR, and mass spectroscopic data.     

Diastereoselective Coupling of N‐(tert‐Butyl)sulfinyl Imines and Dimethyl Malonate. Synthesis of Enantiomerically Enriched β‐Amino Esters and β‐Lactams

A diastereoselective coupling of dimethyl malonate with N‐(tert‐butyl)sulfinyl imines under solvent‐free conditions was developed, using NaHCO₃ or NaI as base promoters. The resulting dimethyl 2‐(1‐aminoalkyl)malonates could be easily transformed successively to β‐amino esters and the corresponding β‐lactams with high optical purity.     

Stereospecific Synthesis of α‐Hydroxy‐Cyclopropylboronates from Allylic Epoxides

Herein, we report a catalytic and stereospecific method for the preparation of enantioenriched α‐hydroxy cyclopropylboronates with control in four contiguous stereocenters. The reaction involves the borylation of readily available allylic epoxides using an inexpensive Cu(I) salt and a commercially available phosphine ligand. High diastereocontrol is achieved and different diastereomers can be selectively prepared. Functionalization of the carbon–boron bond provides access to different enantiomerically enriched trisubstituted cyclopropanes from a common intermediate.