Synthesis of β-lactams using the kinugasa reaction

Abstract

The development of new strategies for the synthesis of β-lactams and their derivatives remains at the forefront of organic synthesis. The copper(I)-catalyzed cycloaddition of a terminal alkyne and a nitrone, the Kinugasa reaction, leading to the formation of a β-lactam has recently drawn to the attention of organic chemists because of its wide scope as well as interesting mechanism. This report aims to give an account of developments in this area with particular emphasis on asymmetric examples.