(3S,4S)-3-[(R)-1-(t-Butyldimethylsilyloxy)ethyl]-4-[(R)-1-carboxyethyl]-2-azetidinone 7a was prepared from (3R,4R)-4-acetoxy-3-[(R)-1-t-butyldimethylsilyloxy)ethyl]-2-azetidinone 3 via a sequence involving coupling with 2,2,5-trimethyl-1,3-dioxan-4,6-dione 4, N-silylation, solvolysis of the methylmeldrum's acid moiety and a stereoselective acid catalyzed decarboxylation.