Preparation of .beta.-lactams and intermediates therefor

An .alpha.-vinylamino-.beta.-lactam of the formula:

• ##STR38## wherein R' represents lower alkyl or phenyl, R"represents hydrogen or lower alkyl or R' and R" togehter with the carbon atoms to which they are attached represent lower cycloalkyl, R''' represents lower alkyl or a group --OR, wherein R represents lower alkyl, Y.sub.1 is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, furyl, phenyl optionally substituted by methoxy or dimethylamino, styryl, optionally esterified carboxyl and hydroxymethylene, X.sub.1 is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and methylthio or X.sub.1 together with Y.sub.1 is 1,5-pentylene, Z.sub.1 is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen methyl optionally substituted by phenyl and phenyl optionally substituted with at least one member of the group consisting of halogen, methyl, methoxy, methylthio and dimethylamino, or Z.sub.1 is ##STR39## wherein R.sub.5 is selected from the group consisting of ethyl and ethylidene optionally substituted by optionally esterified hydroxy and R.sub.6 is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and carboxylic ester groups.

An .alpha.-amino-.beta.-lactam of the formula:

• ##STR40## wherein Y.sub.1 is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, furyl, phenyl optionally substituted by methoxy or dimethyl-amino, styryl, optionally esterified carboxy and hydroxymethylene, X.sub.1 is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and methylthio or X.sub.1 together with Y.sub.1 is 1,5-pentylene, Z.sub.1 is ##STR41## wherein R.sub.5 is selected from the group consisting of ethyl and ethylidene optionally substituted by optionally esterified hydroxy, R.sub.6 is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and carboxylic ester groups.

An .alpha.-acylamido-.beta.-lactam of the formula:

• ##STR42## wherein Y.sub.1 is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, furyl, phenyl, optionally substituted by methoxy or dimethyl-amino, styryl, optionally esterified carboxy and hydroxymethylene, X.sub.1 is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and methylthio or X.sub.1 together with Y.sub.1 is 1,5-pentylene, Z.sub.1 is ##STR43## wherein R.sub.5 is selected from the group consisting of ethyl and ethylidene optionally substituted by optionally esterified hydroxy, R.sub.6 is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and carboxylic ester groups and R.sub.1 is an acyl of a organic carboxylic acid of 1 to 18 carbon atoms.

An .alpha.-acylamido-.beta.-lactam of the formula:

• ##STR44## wherein X.sub.1 and Z.sub.1 are hydrogen, Y.sub.1 is selected from the group consisting of styryl and carboxyl and R.sub.1 is an acyl of an organic carboxylic acid of 1 to 18 carbon atoms.