Aldol condensation of the magnesium enolate derived from anhydro-6,6-dibromopenicillin with acetaldehyde allows for the stereospecific introduction of a 1-R-hydroxyethyl substituent at C-6. Protection of the hydroxy group followed by reductive dehalogenation provides anhydro-6(α)-[(1-R)-(tert;-butyldimethylsilyloxy)-ethyl]-penicillin, an intermediate in the synthesis of thienamycin. A high yield conversion of this anhydro derivative to (4-R)-acetoxy-(3-S)-[(1-R)-(tert-butyldimethylsilyloxy-ethyl]-azetidin-2-one (5) is also reported.
The chemistry of indoles. XVI. A convenient synthesis of substituted indoles carrying a hydroxy group, a halogeno group, or a carbon side chain at the 4-position via 4-indolediazonium salts and a total synthesis of (.+-.)-6,7-secoagroclavine.