A Mild and Efficient Route to 2-Azetidinones Using the Cyanuric Chloride-DMF Complex

Efficient conversion of Schiff bases and carboxylic acids to β-lactams can be carried out at room temperature in CH2Cl2, using a cyanuric chloride-N,N-dimethyl formamide complex. The complex is easily prepared by reaction of cyanuric chloride and DMF, an inexpensive reagent, at room temperature. Optimization of conditions and comparison of yield with cyanuric chloride were performed.