(Chloromethylene)Dimethylammonium Chloride: A Highly Efficient Reagent for the Synthesis of β-Lactams from β-Amino Acids

Abstract

(Chloromethylene)dimethylammonium chloride 1, is a unique reagent that conveniently and efficiently mediates the amide bond formation in β-lactams via cyclodehydration of β-amino acids leading to β-lactam formation. The process involves the formation of a highly reactive activated ester of a β-amino acid which gets cyclised to the corresponding β-lactam in excellent yield. The reaction proceeds smoothly and cleanly as the by-products formed are the water soluble-dimethyl formamide and triethylamine hydrochloride.