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Updated: Feb 6, 2026

Optimization of the Ugi Reaction Using Parallel Synthesis and Automated Liquid Handling
Published on: November 11, 2008
One-pot synthesis of β-lactams by the Ugi and Michael addition cascade reaction
Xing Gao1, Chunhui Shan, Zhihao Chen
1China International Science and Technology Cooperation Base of Food Nutrition/Safety and Medicinal Chemistry, Tianjin International Cooperation Research Centre of Food Nutrition/Safety and Medicinal Chemistry, College of Biotechnology, Tianjin University of Science & Technology, Tianjin, 300457, China. lukui@tust.edu.cn hervegalons@yahoo.com.
Abstract:
Diversity-oriented synthesis of β-lactams was achieved via Ugi/Michael reaction cascades under mild conditions. The intramolecular hydrogen bonding between the heteroatom from an aldehyde component and the amide NH group controls the chemoselectivity of the Michael reaction versus the aza-Michael reaction. DFT calculation was performed to clarify the mechanism, chemo-selectivity and diastereoselectivity of this work. This one-pot protocol offers a straightforward method to build a diversified β-lactam library for drug discovery.
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