New fragmentation and rearrangement reactions of the azetidine ring promoted by AlEt2Cl

Article abstract of DOI:10.1016/S0040-4039(97)10577-9

Azetidines 6 prepared by AlH₂Cl reduction of easily available β-lactams 5 react with AlEt₂Cl in CH₂Cl₂ solution at room temperature to yield, through new fragmentation or rearrangement reactions of the azetidine ring, either, olefins 7 or bicyclic fused pyrrolidines 8, depending on the nature of the group bonded to C2 of the four membered ring.