Solid-phase and combinatorial synthesis in beta-lactam chemistry

Combinatorial chemistry has became a core technology for the rapid development of novel lead compounds in the pharmaceutical industry and for the optimization of therapeutic efficacy. The effort to prepare libraries of compounds by combinatorial chemistry has led to an unprecedented growth in solid phase organic synthesis (SPOS), particularly for the preparation of non-oligomeric small molecules. In this context, the clinically valuable b-lactam compounds are very attractive targets for research using these new techniques. In recent years, b-lactam compounds have been recognized not only as unique antibacterial agents but also as potent enzyme inhibitors, drug delivery agents, and versatile synthetic intermediates. This review gives a comprehensive up-date for the application of solid-phase and combinatorial synthesis to b-lactam compounds.