ChemInform Abstract: Preparation of Crystalline p-Nitrobenzyl 2-Formyl Carbapenems by Oxidative Cleavage

Crystalline 1β-methyl-2-formyl carbapenem pNB esters were prepared by osmium-mediated oxidative cleavage of the corresponding 2-vinyl derivatives. Reduction of the 2-formyl compounds gave the corresponding 2-hydroxymethyl derivatives, which are key intermediates for the anti-MRS carbapenem candidate (1).