An efficient synthesis of the monobactam aztreonam [[2
S-[2
,3
(
Z)]]-3[[(2-amino-4-thiazolyl)[(1-carboxy-1-methylethoxy)imino]acetyl]amino]-2-methyl-4-oxo-1-azetidinesulfonic acid]
(1) by acylation of
-aminoazetidinone
22 with the regioselectively activated aminothiazoleiminoxyacetic diacid
15 or
18 isdescribed. Reaction of benzhydryl ester
10 with
N-hydroxybenzotriazole and dicyclohexylcarbodiimide followed by esterdeprotection formed the monoacid amide
15. Alternatively,chemoselective transient silylation of the diacid
9 followed byactivation with
N-hydroxysuccinimide formed active ester
18.Acylation of
-aminoazetidinone
22 with amide
15 or ester
18produced aztreonam (
1) in 75-85% yield.