Abstract: A process for making a beta methyl carbapenem intermediate is disclosed. A compound of formula I: is contacted in a non-reactive solvent with methyl Meldrum's acid and a base to produce a compound of formula III: Compound III is treated in an aprotic solvent with a scavenging base, an alkali metal halide and a tri-organo silyl protecting compound for nitrogen to produce a compound of formula IV: Compound IV may be reacted with a nucleophile Nu—X in a non-reactive solvent and base, and the mixture acidified to produce a compound of formula V. Compound V may be reacted with mild acid to produce a compound of formula VI.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a process of making a Beta-methyl carbapenem intermediate of formula VI from a compound of formula I ##STR1## wherein R and P' are protecting groups R.sup.1 is a methylmalonic acid ester and Nu is a nucleophilic group. Process intermediates are also disclosed.

Abstract: A process is described for the total synthesis of the macrolide immunosuppressant, FK-506, and important tricarbonyl process intermediates thereof. The tricarbonyl intermediates can be produced by the mild oxidation of 2,3-dihydroxy carboxylate compounds containing olefin moieties.

Abstract: Anti-ulcer agents having a methylsulfinyl bridge between a substituted pyridine moiety and a substituted benzimidazole moiety are prepared by oxidizing the corresponding compounds, having a methylthio bridge, with magnesium monoperoxyphthalate in a suitable solvent. The reaction may be run in an aromatic hydrocarbon solvent, wherein the product may crystallize out of the reaction solution and may be directly isolated by filtration.

Abstract: An intermediate, useful in the conversion of FK-506 to FK-525 and analogous 23-membered ring macrolides, of the structure: ##STR1##

Abstract: The 4-acyloxyazetidin-2-ones, which are intermediates in the production of carbapenems and penems, are produced from nitrogen deprotected 4-furanylazetidin-2-ones.

Abstract: An efficient process for stereoselective preparation of a medicinally significant hydroxyamide compound of structural formula: ##STR1## comprises the addition of metalated amide enolates to chiral .alpha.-amino metalated epoxides. The hydroxyamide reaction products are useful as inhibitors of the HIV protease or of renin, or as intermediates in the preparation of inhibitors of the HIV protease or renin.

Abstract: A process for the conversion of FK-506 (I,R=allyl;1) to FK-525 (XV) and analogous 23-membered ring macrolides differing in the C.1-N.7 segment of the molecule (e.g. XVI) and is also applicable to the analogs FK-523 (XVII) and FK-520 (XVIII). The overall process consists of three stages: (a) initial degradation of the primary macrolide to an acyclic fragment containing a selectively protected C.10-C.34 framework with a protected aldehyde function at C.10 and a free hydroxyl function at C.26, (b) reacylation of the C.26 hydroxyl function with an appropriately N-protected alpha-amino acid moiety, and (c) reintroduction of the C.8 and C.9 carbons followed by regeneration of the FK-macrolide system.

Abstract: A process is described for the stereocontrolled synthesis of (3R,4R)-3-[(1R)-1-hydroxyethyl]-4-benzoyloxyazetidin-2-ones and their derivatives by cycloaddition involving an imine and a ketone, generated from 3(S)-hydroxybutyrate which are useful intermediates in the synthesis of carbapenem antibiotics.

Abstract: A process is described for the stereochemically controlled synthesis of intermediates useful in producing 1-betamethylcarbapenem antibiotic intermediates involving reacting a beta lactam with a chiral thia- or oxazolidinone enolate to preferentially produce a beta-methyl intermediate which can be transformed into a carbapenem antibiotic.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a process of making tetrahydrofuran of the formula (D) ##STR1## resulting in 2,5-diaryltetrahydrofuran PAF antagonists of pharmaceutically acceptable purity.

Abstract: A process is described for the synthesis of diastereomeric 2-methyl-4-hydroxy-5-protected-hydroxy-hept-6-en-prolinolamides, which are useful as intermediates in the synthesis of the C.sub.10 -C.sub.18 chain of the macrolide structure for the immunosuppressant FK-506. These compounds are also useful as intermediates for preparing lactone ultraviolet radiation absorbers.

Abstract: A multistep process is described for selectively obtaining 1-.beta.-methylcarbapenem intermediates in high overall yield. The desired 1-.beta.-methyl chirality is obtained through the hydrogenation of certain bicyclic .beta.-lactam ring structures containing an exocyclic methylene double bond alpha to the .beta.-lactam ring, in the presence of a metallic nickel hydrogenation catalyst. The hydrogenation results in a mixture of .alpha.- and .beta.-methyl isomers having a high .beta./.alpha.epimeric molar ratio. New 1-.beta.-methylcarbapenem intermediates containing the exocyclic double bond are also described.

Abstract: A unique process for preparing certain (2R-trans)hexahydroaroquinolizines, especially (2R-trans)-N-[2-(1,3,4,6,7,12b-hexahydro-2'-oxospiro[aro-[2,3-a]-quinolizi ne-2,4'-imidazolidin]-3'-yl) ethyl)-methanesulfonamide from (2R-trans)-N-[2-[(2-cyano-(1,3,4,6,7,12b-hexahydro-aro-[2,3-a]quinolizin-2 -yl)amino]ethyl]methanesulfonamide is described.

Abstract: A process is described involving an alkaline rearrangement of FK-506 producing a new decarbonylated 22-membered macrocycle rearrangement derivative of FK-506, i.e. C.9, nor-keto FK-506.

Abstract: (S)-3-(thien-2-ylthio)butyric acid analogs are intermediates in the synthesis of the chiral (S,S)-5,6-dihydro-4-ethylamino-6-methyl-4H-thieno[2,3-b]thiopyran-2-sulfon amide-7,7-dioxide and analogs thereof, topically effective carbonic anhydrase inhibitors useful in the treatment of ocular hypertension and glaucoma. They are prepared by condensation of 2-mercaptothiophene and (R)-(+)-.beta.-methyl-.beta.-propiolactone or an analog thereof.

Abstract: The 4-acryloxyazetidin-2-ones, which are intermediates in the production of carbapenems and penems, are produced from 4-furanylazetidin-2-ones by electrochemical methods.

Abstract: A unique process for preparing certain (2R-trans)hexahydroaroquinolizines, especially (2R-trans)-N-[2-(1,3,4,6,7,12b-hexahydro-2'-oxospiro[aro-[2,3-a]-quinolizi ne-2,4'-imidazolidin]-3'-yl)ethyl)-methanesulfonamide from (2R-trans)-N-[2-[(2-cyano-(1,3,4,6,7,12b-hexahydro-aro-[2,3-a]quinolizin-2 -yl)amino]ethyl]methanesulfonamide is described.

Abstract: A process is described for the synthesis of hydroxy lactone 3, being 1R, 2R, 5R-2-hydroxy-6-oxo-7-oxabicyclo[3.2.1]-octane, in optically pure form, which is useful as an intermediate in the synthesis of the C.sub.20 -C.sub.34 chain of the macrolide structure for the immunosuppressant FK-506. This compound is also useful as a precursor for producing an ultraviolet radiation absorber.

Abstract: The 4-acyloxyazetidin-2-ones, which are intermediates in the production of carbapenems and penems, are produced from 4-furanylazetidin-2-ones by singlet oxygen oxidation.