Functionalized β-lactams based on (E)-1-(furan-2-yl)-N-[(4-methoxyphenyl)methyl]methanimine and its imine–imine rearrangement initiated by potassium hydride

Abstract

Functionalized β-lactams were synthesized by reaction of (E)-1-(furan-2-yl)-N-[(4-methoxyphenyl)-methyl]methanimine with ketenes generated in situ from chloro- and dichloroacetic acids and 3-(methoxyimino) butanoic acid. (E)-1-(Furan-2-yl)-N-[(4-methoxyphenyl)methyl]methanimine underwent imine–imine rearrangement by the action of potassium hydride to give thermodynamically more stable (E)-N-[(furan-2-yl)-methyl]-1-(4-methoxyphenyl)methanimine.