Copper-catalyzed [3+1] cyclization of cyclopropenes/diazo compounds and bromodifluoroacetamides: facile synthesis of α,α-difluoro-β-lactam derivatives

We have developed a novel copper-catalyzed cyclization of cyclopropenes/diazo compounds and bromodifluoroacetamides, efficiently synthesizing a series of alpha,alpha-difluoro-beta-lactams in moderate to excellent yields under mild reaction conditions. This reaction represents the first example of [3 + 1] cyclization for the synthesis of beta-lactams utilizing a metal carbene intermediate as the C1 synthon.

Automated summary

We have developed a novel copper-catalyzed cyclization method, to efficiently synthesize a series of α,α-difluoro-β-lactams under mild reaction conditions. This represents the first example of utilizing a metal carbene intermediate as the C1 synthon for [3 + 1] cyclization to synthesize β-lactams.