10.1139/v82-142
The research focuses on the synthesis of penems, a class of β-lactam antibiotics, via the preparation of (4-tritylthio-2-azetidinon-1-yl)triphenylphosphoranylideneacetates from 4-acetoxyazetidin-2-one. The process involves converting the starting material into metal mercaptides (silver or mercury), which are then acylated and cyclized to form 2-substituted penem-3-carboxylates. The study highlights the versatility of using trityl groups to allow for the introduction of different substituents at position 2 of the penem nucleus, and the stability of the mercaptides as intermediates, which can be stored and readily acylated to produce a variety of penem analogs.