Synthesis of 1,3-diazetidin-2-ones (aza-β-lactams) as rationally designed transpeptidase and β-lactamase inhibitors

Abstract Pyrimidinone 4 is converted to diazetidinone carboxaldehyde 6 . Selective chemical transformations on tricarbonyl substrate 6 with different reagents are performed. Synthon 6 is employed as a versatile template for elaboration to bicyclic diazetidinones 7 , 12 and 15 . A novel class of aza-β-lactam compounds are synthesised as potential transpeptidase and β-lactamase inhibitors.