Reaction of enyne-beta-lactams 1 with Co-2(CO)(8) followed by in situ thermal or TMANO decomposition of the formed alkyne-Co-2(CO)(6) complexes gives tricyclic beta-lactams 2 as single stereoisomers, in good to excellent yields. These are the first examples of an intramolecular Pauson-Khand reaction on an enyne system tethered to a four membered ring. Copyright (C) 1996 Elsevier Science Ltd