The general and efficient method for the synthesis of 4-phosphonylated β-lactams from N-methyl-C-(diethoxyphosphonyl)nitrone and selected terminal alkynes via Kinugasa reaction was reported. Application of microwave irradiation significantly shortened the reaction time. Stereochemistry of diastereoisomeric products was established based on vicinal H3–H4 couplings in the β-lactam ring.
Key words
Kinugasa reaction - β-lactams - phosphonate - diastereoselectivity - relative configuration - microwave irradiation.