Short and efficient route toward α-substituted N-arylazetidines from acetanilides via Mitsunobu reaction

N-Arylazetidines are efficiently obtained in a three-step procedure, providing a wide diversity of derivatives on multigram scale with overall yields of 21–55%. Cheap or easily available acetanilides are used in an adapted aldolization with aldehydes, furnishing β-hydroxyamides with an 81% average yield over 21 examples. Special Mitsunobu conditions have been developed to ensure the cyclization of these hydroxyamides, giving β-lactams with an 73% average yield over 16 examples. A reduction then provided the N-arylazetidines in high yields.