The general and efficient method for the synthesis of 4phosphonylated 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.

A New Approach to the Synthesis of 4-Phosphonylated -Lactams. -A Kinugasa reaction between phosphonylated nitrones and terminal alkynes leads to the title compounds as mixtures of only partially separable diastereomers. The reaction times are significantly shortened by performing the reaction under microwave irradiation at elevated temperature. -(PIOTROWSKA, D. G.; BUJNOWICZ, A.; WROBLEWSKI, A. E.; GLOWACKA*, I. E.; Synlett 26 (2015) 3, 375-379, http://dx.