Reactivity of Electrogenerated N‐Heterocyclic Carbenes in Room‐Temperature Ionic Liquids. Cyclization to 2‐Azetidinone Ring via C‐3/C‐4 Bond Formation

The intrinsic chemistry of imidazolium‐based room‐temperature ionic liquids, related to the acidity of the C‐2 imidazolium cation, can be modified via cathodic cleavage of the C‐2/hydrogen bond. N‐Heterocyclic carbenes, electrogenerated by electrolysis of imidazolium‐based room‐temperature ionic liquids, are stable bases that are strong enough to deprotonate bromoamides 1a–k yielding the azetidin‐2‐one ring via C‐3/C4 bond formation. The electrosynthesis of β‐lactams 2a–k has been achieved under mild conditions, elevated yields and avoiding the use of toxic, volatile, molecular solvents.