Synthesis of 1-alkyl-2-methylazetidin-3-ones and 1-alkyl-2-methylazetidin-3-ols

Several 1-alkyl-2-methylazetidin-3-ones were prepared in good yield by the hydride-induced cyclization of the corresponding β-bromo-α,α-dimethoxyketimines, the resulting 3,3-dimethoxyazetidines being hydrolyzed by acid. Imination of these 1,2-disubstituted azetidin-3-ones, followed by alkylation under kinetic control conditions resulted in regioisomeric mixtures of 2,4- and 2,2-dialkylated compounds. Analytical samples of the major 2,4-disubstituted derivatives were obtained after extensive chromatographic separation. The cis stereochemistry of the major 2,4-dialkylated isomer was demonstrated on the basis of NMR data.