Lewis Acid‐Assisted Ene Cyclization of 2‐Azetidinone‐Tethered Enals: Synthesis of Enantiopure Carbacepham Derivatives

Diastereocontrolled Lewis acid‐catalyzed preparation of enantiopure carbacepham derivatives have been developed starting from 2‐azetidinone‐tethered enals. The BF₃?Et₂O‐promoted reaction of alkenylaldehydes 1 and 16 is effective as carbocyclization protocol to afford 4‐substituted 5‐hydroxycarbacephams or 3‐substituted 4,5‐dihydroxycarbacephams, respectively, by a type I carbonyl‐ene reaction, while the BF₃?Et₂O or SnCl₄‐mediated type II carbonyl‐ene cyclization of alkenylaldehydes 2 furnishes 3‐methylene 5‐hydroxycarbacephams along with the corresponding 3‐halo 5‐hydroxycarbacepham. The stereochemical outcome of these carbonyl‐ene cyclizations leading to carbacepham derivatives can be explained in terms of six‐membered, cyclic chair‐like transition‐state models. The formation of halocarbacepham derivatives is proposed to proceed by a stepwise mechanism.