Theoretical study of ester enolate–imine condensation route to β-lactams

The condensation reaction of the enolate of methyl acetate with formaldimine to afford a β-lactam was studied using the MP2-FC/6-31+G* level of theory taking into account the electrostatic effect of the solvent by means of a self-consistent reaction field continuum model. The reaction is a stepwise process with three main steps: the formation of the C3(SINGLE BOND)C4 bond, the closure of the β-lactam ring, and the elimination of the methoxide ion. The formation of the C3(SINGLE BOND)C4 bond is rate determining and according to our calculations is not a reversible step. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Comput Chem 19: 1826–1833, 1998