Abstract
Phenylthioacetyl chloride is a potential precursor of ketene in Staudinger reaction with imine in synthesis of stereodefined 3-phenythio beta-lactam derivatives. Herein we describe the reaction of imines with phenythioacetyl chloride in the presence of N-methylmorpholine under microwave irradiation and classical condition. The reaction is highly stereospecific since only trans beta-lactam is formed exclusively. This is an example in which identical products are formed under microwave irradiation method and thermal conditions.