Metal-mediated carbonyl-1,3-butadien-2-ylation by 1,4-bis(methanesulfonyl)-2-butyne or 1,4-dibromo-2-butyne in aqueous media: asymmetric synthesis of 3-substituted 3-hydroxy-beta-lactams

Metal-mediated 1,3-butadien-2-ylation reactions between 1,4-dibromo-2-butyne or 1,4-bis(methanesulfonyl)-2-butyne and optically pure azetidine-2,3-diones were investigated in aqueous media, offering a convenient asymmetric entry to the potentially bioactive 3-substituted 3-hydroxy-beta-lactam moiety. The diastereoselectivity of the addition reaction was controlled by the bulky chiral auxiliary at C4. However, while the regioselectivity of the process was full, the chemical yield of the addition was a function of the nature of both the metal reagent and the system solvent as well. In addition, 2-azetidinone-tethered 1,3-butadienes can easily be transformed into other functionalities via Diels-Alder reaction.