Heterogeneous Catalysis with Basic Compounds to Achieve the Synthesis and C-N Cleavage of Azetidin-2-ones under Microwave Irradiation

The synthesis of azetidin-2-ones with a completely heterogeneous catalysis is reported. The use of basic compounds as solid catalysts allowed for the synthesis of azetidin-2-ones under microwave irradiation without organic additives such as triethylamine. An excellent catalyst for this transformation was Mg-Al hydroxide (MAH). The present methodology offers the advantages of non-hazardous reaction conditions, short reaction times, high yields, and catalyst reusability. Different substitution groups were tested on the imines and acyl chlorides to explore the scope of the reaction. Unconventional N-C4 bond cleavage was detected in azetidin-2-ones. MAH was characterized by N ₂ adsorption-desorption, X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM).