Microwave-Assisted Carbonyl-Carbonyl Coupling Route for the Preparation of a Useful Intermediate in the Synthesis of Carbapenems.

Microwave-assisted organic synthesis has been used for the cyclization of a monocyclic oxoamide to the corresponding bicyclic derivative via a Wittig-type coupling by means of phosphite reagents. The parameters influencing the reaction yields under microwave (dielectric heating) and classical conditions (convective heating) have been evaluated.