Diastereoselective synthesis of a bicyclic β-lactam with penicillin G-like spectrum of activity by carbonylation of an acyclic diaminocarbene

Diisopropylamino-cis-2,6-dimethylpiperidinocarbene reacts regio- and diastereoselectively with CO to afford a bicyclic β-lactam with 100% atom efficiency, whose spectrum of activity resembles that of penicillin G or amoxicillin.