The conversion of β-amino esters by alkylaluminum compounds into β-lactams

Article abstract of DOI:10.1016/S0040-4020(01)80350-1

β-Amino esters with an unsubstituted amino group such as 1 or 19 can be cyclized by two equivalents of alkylaluminum compounds such as triisobutylaluminum in yields of up to 61% to the corresponding β-lactams 2 or 20.