Catalytic asymmetric total synthesis of diazabicyclooctane β-lactamase inhibitors avibactam and relebactam.

A catalytic asymmetric total synthesis of avibactam and relebactam, two marketed diazabicyclooctane (DBO) β-lactamase inhibitors (BLIs), has been accomplished. An important feature of this study is the creation of a stereogenic center by using Rh-catalysed asymmetric hydrogenation, affording the crucial α-amino acid ester derivative with high-level enantiocontrol (99% ee). Furthermore, the adoption of flow technologies for the assembly of a majority of intermediates significantly achieves a faster preparation and greater synthetic efficiency than corresponding batch procedures.