Stereoselective Synthesis of β-Lactam-triflones under Catalyst-Free Conditions

The first example of the synthesis of β-lactam-triflones is described. Treatment of 2-diazo-1-aryl-2-(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)ethanones 1c—f with imines 2 under catalyst-free heating conditions provides pharmaceutically attractive multisubstituted β-lactam-triflones 3 in good to high yields with regio- and diastereoselectivities. A successive Wolff rearrangement and Staudinger [2 + 2] cycloaddition reaction are key elements for the success of this transformation.