Possible biomimetic synthesis of β-lactams

Article abstract of DOI:10.1021/ja00305a026

The first successful syntheses of β-lactams via a Pummerer rearrangement of the corresponding sulfoxides are described. Thus, variously substituted 3-(phenylsulfinyl)propionamides were converted to 4-(phenylthio)-2-azetidinones in 14-50% yields with trime