PPL-catalysed hydrolysis of 3,4-disubstituted β-lactams: Effect of chain length and stereochemistry on the enantioselectivity

3,4-Disubstituted β-lactam acetates 1a–15a have been subjected to PPL-catalysed hydrolysis. The stereochemical course of hydrolysis has been shown to depend upon the C3–C4 relative stereochemistry and the length of the chain bearing acetate functionality.