Alternate "Drug" Delivery Utilizing β-Lactam Cores: Syntheses and Biological Evaluation of β-Lactams Bearing Isocyanate Precursors.

The synthesis of a small set of β-lactams containing isocyanate precursors is described. The release of the isocyanate precursor in model hydrolysis experiments was substantiated by trapping experiments, thus confirming that β-lactams can be designed that are capable of releasing alternatively reactive species. Preliminary biological assessments are also briefly discussed.