Hypotheses for synthesis of novel chiral beta-amino-beta-lactams through amidines

Synthesis of new beta-lactams is an attractive field because some of these types of molecules are biologically active. The design and preparation of C₄-nitrogen-substituted beta-lactams are not known. Structurally diverse C₄-N-substituted beta-lactams can be synthesized efficiently from amidines. Amidines are obtained by reacting beta-cyano ester and secondary amine in the presence of a promoter. Amidines can then be used for the preparation of novel beta-lactams through well-known reactions. Bismuth, indium, and copper salts can be used as the promoter to undergo nucleophilic reactions. Several new reactions are here identified with amidines in high yield for the synthesis of unique monocyclic to polycyclic beta-lactams. Some of these compounds are optically active with diverse groups at different positions of the ring system.