title: N-Heterocyclic carbene catalysed beta-lactam synthesis.
abstract: N-Heterocyclic carbenes promote the formal [2+2] cycloaddition of ketenes with N-tosyl imines to give the corresponding beta-lactams in good to excellent isolated yields; chiral NHCs give beta-lactams in high e.e. after crystallisation.
authors.affiliation: EaStCHEM, School of Chemistry, University of St Andrews, North Haugh, St. Andrews, UK.
authors.forename: Nicolas
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Duguet
authors.forename: Craig D
authors.initials: CD
authors.lastname: Campbell
authors.forename: Alexandra M Z
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Slawin
authors.forename: Andrew D
authors.initials: AD
authors.lastname: Smith