Synthetic studies on β-lactam antibiotics. 18. Convenient,stereocontrolled synthesis of 3-methyl 7α-methoxy-1-oxacephems

Alcohols $\text{4}$ and $\text{8}$, prepared from $\text{3}$, underwent completely stereospecific etherification to give 1-oxacephams $\text{5}$ and $\text{10}$, which were converted into the 1-oxacephem nucleus $\text{1b}$ via $\text{6}$ and $\text{1c}$. Functionalization at C-3′ in $\text{6}$ and $\text{1c}$ was unsuccessful.