Process for preparing 4-mercaptopyrrolidine intermediate compounds and a process for their use in preparing carbapenem -2-em-3 carboxylic acids

摘要

An improved process for preparing a 4-mercaptopyrrolidine compound [I]: <IMAGE> [I] wherein R is H, lower alkyl or lower alkanoyl, R1 is H or SH-protecting group, and X is O or S, which comprises reacting halogenobutyric acid compound [VI], or a salt thereof, with amine compound [VII], or a salt thereof, and if necessary, followed by thiocarbonylating the product and/or removing the protecting group, said 4-mercaptopyrrolidine compound [I] being useful as intermediate for carbapenem antibacterial agents.