Synthesis of β-lactams via Staudinger reaction using <i>N</i>-ethoxycarbonyl-2-ethoxy-1,2-dihydroquinoline as a carboxylic acid activator

<p><i>N</i>-Ethoxycarbonyl-2-ethoxy-1,2-dihydroquinoline (EEDQ) has been used as an efficient and convenient reagent for the one-pot synthesis of β-lactams by [2+2] ketene–imine cycloaddition (Staudinger reaction). Cleanliness, simplicity of method, and good to excellent yields of products are some advantages of this method.