Sodium bistrimethylsilylamide cyclization

Based on the early racemic synthesis of 4 (cis series), it had already been demonstrated that 2-azetidinone ring closure could be achieved via nucleophilic attack of a lithium amine anion on a (3-ester. Cyclization could be accomplished with other strong bases, but sodium bistrimethylsilylamide was found to effect efficient cyclization without significant racemization at C3. During the search for experimentally convenient bases, it was noted that Noyori (Nakamura et al., 1983) reported that tetrabutylammonium fluoride (TBAF) as well as LiF, KF, and CsF could serve as the base in Aldol reactions. Treatment of 17a or 17b with TBAF trihydrate in THF did not affect cyclization. After much experimentation it was found that addition of A,0-bistrimethylacetamide (BSA) to 19 followed by TBAF addition, effected 2-azetidinone ring closure. Further optimization found that use of catalytic TBAF (< 1%) in methylene chloride afforded near quantitative cyclization. 

Cyclization Aluminum chloride. Phosphoric-Formic acid. Polyphosphoric acid. Sodium aluminum chloride. Sodium bistrimethylsilylamide. Stannic chloride. 

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