Synthesis of beta-lactams bearing functionalized side chains from a readily available precursor.

The reaction of chlorosulfonyl isocyanate (CSI) with alkenes provides beta-lactams in quantity, and the products have frequently been used for ring-opening polymerization to generate nylon-3 materials. Prior uses of this approach have focused almost entirely on beta-lactams with purely hydrocarbon substitutents. We show how a variety of beta-lactams bearing protected polar substituents can be generated from CSI-derived building blocks.