A method for the synthesis of alkynyl phenyl sulfides from alkynyltrimethylsilanes. A novel, efficient synthesis of the thienamycin intermediate from 3(R)-hydroxybutyric acid

Article abstract of DOI:10.1021/jo00294a002

The mechanism of the one-pot conversion of β-amino thiol esters of type 3 to β-lactams of type 4 has been clarified, and it is proposed that the actual active species is a PhSSPh-CuOTf complex. Through the use of this novel reaction, an efficient synthesis of the thienamycin intermediate 2, starting with 3(R)-hydroxybutyric acid, has been achieved. Furthermore, the combined reagents (PhSSPh-CuOTf) have been demonstrated to be a powerful source of PhS⁺ through the conversion of several alkynyltrimethylsilanes to alkynyl phenyl sulfides.