AN INVESTIGATION OF (R)-(+)-1-(1-NAPHTHYL)ETHYLIMINES AND (R)-(+)-1-(PHENYL)ETHYLIMINES AS CHIRAL TEMPLATES IN THE STAUDINGER REACTION

(R)-(+)-1-)1-Napthyl)ethylimines were found to be moderately better chiral templates in the Staudinger reaction in comparison to (R)-(+)-1-(phenyl)ethylimines. The best diastereoselectivities and yields were obtained with (R)-(+)-1-(1-napthyl)ethylimines when toluene was used as the solvent. The resulting diastereomeric cis beta-lactams were separated by silica gel flash column chromatography or recrystallization.