Free radical synthesis of benzofused tricyclic β-lactams by intramolecular cyclization of 2-azetidinone-tethered haloarenes

o-Halogenophenyl- and o-halogenobenzyl-4-alkenyl-β-lactams can be prepared both in the racemic form and in optically pure form using the ketene–imine cyclization. These 2-azetidinone-tethered haloarenes were used for the regio- and stereoselective preparation of benzofused tricyclic β-lactams including benzocarbapenems and benzocarbacephems via intramolecular aryl radical cyclisation.