Recent Advances in Synthesis of Functionalized β-Lactams through Cyclization of N-Propargyl Amine/Amide Derivatives

β-lactams have attracted a significant attention due to their potential biological activities and wide variety of synthetic applications. Developing novel and efficient methods for construction of functionalized β-lactams has been the subject of a number of papers in recent years. N-Propargyl amines/amides are one of the most specific class of alkynes having diverse reaction patterns. It is well known that they can undergo a number of cyclization reactions to produce various significant nitrogen containing heterocycles. This review surveys literature methods for the synthesis of highly substituted β-lactams from simple and easily available N-propargyl amine/amide derivatives from 1991 to 2017. Keywords: β-lactams, N-propargylamines, N-propargylamides, 4-exo-dig cyclization, Ugi-adducts, carbon monoxide.