STEREOSELECTIVE SYNTHESIS OF OPTICALLY ACTIVE β-LACTAMS BY THE REACTION OF CHIRAL IMINES DERIVED FROM ERYTHRO-2-AMINO-1,2-DIPHENYLETHANOL WITH ESTER ENOLATES

Chiral imines, derived from (1S,2R)-2-methoxy-1,2-diphenylethyl-amine and aromatic aldehydes, reacted with ester enolates prepared from ketene silyl acetals and methyllithium to give β-lactams in good yields with high diastereoselectivity. This method provides a useful and simple route for the construction of optically active β-lactam skeletons