Abstract
Cycloaddition of Schiff base with acid chloride or its equivalent in the presence of a tertiary base gives beta-lactams. This reaction may produce cis, trans or a cis-trans isomeric mixture of beta-lactams. depending upon the structures of the imine and acid chloride as well as on the condition of the experiment. No generalization of the stereochemistry of the beta-lactams from cycloaddition is possible. However, based upon our significant studies in this area, the author has identified a fundamental rule. It is named: Banik's Rule. The author has found rapid heating of the reactants form trans beta-lactams with diarylimines irrespective of the nature of the acid chlorides.