4,4-Bis(methylthio)azetidin-2-ones as synthons of 1,2- and 1,3-dicarbonyl systems

The importance of β-lactams as synthetic building blocks has been widely recognized in organic synthesis due to possible ring cleavage at any of the four single bonds of the β-lactam ring. We now report reactions involving breaking of the N1–C4 bond in differently substituted at C3 4,4-bis(methylthio)azetidin-2-ones, leading to formation of 1,2- and 1,3-dicarbonyl systems.