The reactions of some 2-pyridylthioesters with imines in the presence of AlBr3 or EtAlCl(2) and of a tertiary amine afford beta-lactams in a simple one-pot procedure with fair to high trans stereoselectivity. The condensation can be also carried out in the absence of base and with sub-stoicheiometric amounts of the Lewis acid. The possible mechanisms of the process are discussed.