Method for synthesizing beta lactam compounds by decomposition of an alpha-diazo-beta-ketoamide using a fluorescent light source

A method for the production of an enantiomerically pure β-lactam, the method comprising the decomposition of an α-diazo-β-ketoamide derived from an enantiomerically pure α-amino acid wherein the method comprises performing photolysis of the α-diazo-β-ketoamide to produce the corresponding EP β-lactam by means of a light-promoted intramolecular Wolff rearrangement, wherein photolysis is promoted by use of a fluorescent light only, and without the use of a mercury vapour lamp, and wherein no chemical or metal catalyst is used to promote the reaction.