SnBr4 affords the corresponding tin(IV) enolates that add to imines to give β-lactams in fair to good yields and with various degree of trans/cis stereoselectivity. Examples of highly diastereofacially selective reactions carried out on a chiral thioester and on a chiral imine are also reported. The results are compared with those obtained in the condensations promoted by TiCl4 and TiBr4.
Synthesis of β-lactams by condensation of titanium enolates of 2-pyridylthioesters with imines. Influence of the imine structure on the trans/cis stereoselectivity
The condensation of the titanium enolates of C-2 alkyl substituted 2-pyridylthioesters with imines affords beta-lactams in trans/cis ratios that largely depend on the structure of the C-imine residue. Bulky and non-chelating heteroatom-containing groups lead to the formation of trans p-lactams, while sterically non-requiring or chelating groups favour the formation of the cia-products. On the basis of NMR evidences a rationale is proposed to account for the observed stereoselectivity.
Optically Active Aminoalcohol Promoted Addition of 2-Pyridylthioester Boron Enolates to Imines: Enantioselective One-pot Synthesis of β-Lactams
The enolates derived from 2-pyridylthioesters by treatment with BCl3 . Me(2)S and enantiomerically pure aminoalcohols react with aromatic and heteroaromatic imines to afford beta-lactams in a convenient one-pot procedure and in up to 78% e.e. The aminoalcohol can be employed both as the metal ligand and as the base to generate the enolate. Among several aminoalcohols tested, N-methylephedrine turned our to be the more efficient in terms of stereoselectivity.