Electrophile-induced ring expansions of beta-lactams toward gamma-Lactams.

[reaction: see text] An efficient and straightforward route toward 3,4-cis-4-isopropenylazetidin-2-ones was developed from 4-(1-chloroalkyl)azetidin-2-ones. Starting from the latter beta-lactams, a new synthesis of pyrrolidin-2-ones was achieved. When 4-isopropenylazetidin-2-ones were treated with bromine in dichloromethane, diastereoselective electrophile-induced ring expansions toward 5-bromopyrrolidin-2-ones were performed. Further oxidation of 3-benzyloxypyrrolidin-2-ones with bromine toward 3-bromopyrrolidin-2-ones was also established. When 4-isopropenyl-beta-lactams were added to a mixture of NBS and TMSN(3), 5-azidopyrrolidin-2-ones were obtained in moderate to high yields.