Metal-promoted allylation, propargylation, or allenylation of azetidine-2,3-diones in aqueous and anhydrous media. Application to the asymmetric synthesis of densely functionalized 3-substituted 3-hydroxy-beta-lactams.

Metal-mediated carbonyl allylation, allenylation, and propargylation of optically pure azetidine-2,3-diones were investigated in both anhydrous and aqueous environments. Different metals promoters showed varied regioselectivities on product formation during allenylation/propargylation reactions of the keto-beta-lactams. The stereochemistry of the new C3-substituted C3-hydroxy quaternary center was controlled by placing a chiral auxiliary at C4. In this way, the coupling of azetidine-2,3-diones with a variety of propenyl-, propynyl-, and allenylmetal reagents offers a convenient asymmetric entry to potentially bioactive 3-substituted 3-hydroxy-beta-lactams.