Alkylative cleavage of azetidinone disulfides

摘要

Novel semisynthetic 4-thio-azetidin-2-one derivatives of use in the production of cephalosporins, penicillins and related beta -lactam antibiotic compounds are provided by cleavage reactions involving the corresponding 4-dithio-azetidin-2-one derivative or a suitable thiazoline derivative, which starting materials may be obtained from penicillins without changing the configuration of the beta -lactam structure desired in the final product.