Beta-lactam compounds and their production

Abstract: Described are amino acid compounds of the formula: wherein R is a lower alkyl group, R₁ is a hydrogen atom or a protecting group for carboxyl, R₂ is a hydrogen atom, a protecting group for amino, an optionally substituted allyl group of the formula: (wherein R₃ and R₄ are each a hydrogen atom, a lower alkyl group or an aryl group), a beta-hydroxyethyl group in which the hydroxyl group is optionally protected, a formylmethyl group in which the formyl group is optionally protected, a carboxymethyl group in which the carboxyl group is protected or a 2-furylmethyl group and X is an optionally protected carboxyl group, a hydroxymethyl group in which the hydroxyl group is optionally protected or a substituted mercapto­ methyl group of the formula: -CH₂SR₅ (wherein R₅ is an aryl group or an ar(lower)alkyl group), which are useful intermediates in the synthesis of 1-alkyl­ carbapenem compounds.

Description: The present invention relates to beta-lactam compounds and their production. More particularly, it relates to novel beta-lactam compounds useful as intermediates in the synthesis of 1-alkylcarbapenem compounds and their production. The beta-lactam compounds of this invention are represented by the general formula: wherein R is a C₁-C₈ alkyl group, R₂ is an allyl group of the formula: (wherein R₃ and R₄ are each a hydrogen atom, a C₁-C₈ alkyl group or an aryl group), a beta-hydroxyethyl group in which the hydroxyl group is optionally protected, a formylmethyl group in which the formyl group is optionally protected or a 2-furylmethyl group and X is an optionally protected carboxyl group, a hydroxymethyl group in which the hydroxyl group is optionally protected or a substituted mercaptomethyl group of the formula: -CH₂SR₅ wherein R₅ is an aryl group or an ar(C₁-C₈)alkyl group). Since the successful isolation of an antimicrobial substance "thienamycin" from the nature [U.S. patent 3,950,357; J.Am.Chem.Soc., 100 , 313 (1978)], various carbapenem compounds have been synthesized. Among them, there are known some carbapenem compounds substituted at the 1-position, and 1-alkylcarbapenem compounds are particularly notable in exerting strong antimicrobial activity against various microorganisms with excellent stability in living bodies [Heterocycles, 21 , 29 (1984)]. U.S. Patent 4,344,885 describes a process for the stereocontrolled synthesis of thienamycin from acetone dicarboxylate via an intermediate. As a result of the extensive study, it has now been found that the β-lactam compounds (VI), which are novel, are valuable intermediates for the production of 1-alkylcarbapenem compounds. Throughout this specification, particularly in the above formula (VI), the term "C₁-C₈ alkyl" includes C₁-C₆ alkyl, especially C₁-C₄ alkyl and more especially methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl, sec-butyl, t-butyl, etc. The term "C₁-C₈ alkoxy" includes C₁-C₆ alkoxy, especially C₁-C₄ alkoxy and more especially methoxy, ethoxy, n-propoxy, isopropoxy, n-butoxy, sec-butoxy, t-butoxy, etc. The term "C₁-C₈ alkanoyl" covers C₁-C₆ alkanoyl, especially C₁-C₄ alkanoyl and more especially acetyl, propionyl, butyryl, etc. Further, the term "halogen" is intended to mean chlorine, bromine, iodine and fluorine. Furthermore, the term "aryl" means an aromatic hydrocarbon group having not more than 20 carbon atoms such as phenyl, naphthyl or anthranyl. When the aryl group is substituted, the substituent(s) may be chosen from C₁-C₈ alkyl, C₁-C₈ alkoxy, nitro, amino, halogen, etc. General protection of the functional groups such as carboxyl, amino, hydroxyl and formyl are disclosed in various textbooks such as "Protective Groups in Organic Synthesis" (1981) published by John Wiley & Sons, New York, U.S.A. and "New Experimental Chemistry" ("Shin-Jikken Kagaku Koza" in Japanese), Vol. 14 (1978) published by Maruzen, Tokyo, Japan as well as many literatures as cited in those textbooks. Conventional protecting groups as disclosed therein are ordinarily usable in this invention. Specific examples of the protecting group for carboxyl are a C₁-C₈ alkyl group such as C₁-C₄ alkyl (e.g. methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl, sec-butyl, t-butyl), a halogenated C₁-C₈ alkyl group such as C₁-C₄ alkyl substituted with one to three halogen atoms (e.g. 2-iodoethyl, 2,2,2-trichloroethyl), a C₁-C₈ alkoxymethyl group such as C₁-C₄ alkoxymethyl (e.g. methoxymethyl, ethoxymethyl, isobutoxymethyl), a C₁-C₈ alkoxycarbonyloxyethyl group such as C₁-C₄ alkoxycarbonyloxyethyl (e.g. 1-methoxycarbonyloxyethyl, 1-ethoxycarbonyloxyethyl), a C₁-C₈ alkanoyloxymethyl group such as C₂-C₇ alkanoyloxymethyl (e.g. acetoxymethyl, propionyloxymethyl, butyryloxymethyl, pivaloyloxymethyl), an optionally substituted C₂-C₈ alkenyl group such as optionally substituted C₃-C₆ allyl (e.g. allyl, 2-methylallyl, 3-methylallyl, cinnamyl), an optionally substituted arylmethyl group such as optionally substituted phenylmethyl (e.g. benzyl, p-methoxybenzyl, 2,4-dimethoxybenzyl, o-nitrobenzyl, p-nitrobenzyl, p-chlorobenzyl), an optionally substituted diarylmethyl group such as optionally substituted diphenylmethyl (e.g. diphenylmethyl, di-p-anisylmethyl), an optionally substituted aryl group such as optionally substituted phenyl (e.g. phenyl, p-nitrophenyl, p-chlorophenyl, 2,6-dimethylphenyl), etc. Specific examples of the protecting group for amino are a C₁-C₈ alkoxycarbonyl group such as C₁-C₅ alkoxycarbonyl (e.g. t-butoxycarbonyl), a halogenated C₁-C₈ alkoxycarbonyl group such as C₁-C₃ alkoxycarbonyl substituted with one to three halogen atoms (e.g. 2-iodoethoxycarbonyl, 2,2,2-trichloroethoxycarbonyl), an optionally substituted arylmethoxycarbonyl group such as optionally substituted phenylmethoxycarbonyl (e.g. benzyloxycarbonyl, o-nitrobenzyloxycarbonyl, p-nitrobenzyloxycarbonyl, p-methoxybenzyloxycarbonyl), an optionally substituted arylmethyl group such as optionally substituted phenylmethyl group (e.g. benzyl, p-methoxybenzyl, 2,4-dimethoxybenzyl, o-nitrobenzyl, p-nitrobenzyl), an optionally substituted diarylmethyl group such as optionally substituted diphenylmethyl (e.g. diphenylmethyl, di-p-anisylmethyl), an alpha-C₁-C₈ alkyl-benzyl group such as alpha-C₁-C₄ alkyl-benzyl(e.g. alpha-methylbenzyl, alpha-ethylbenzyl), a trityl group, a substituted aryl group such as substituted phenyl (e.g. p-methoxyphenyl, 2,4-dimethoxyphenyl, o-nitrophenyl, p-nitrophenyl, 2,4-dinitrophenyl), a tri(C₁-C₈)alkylsilyl group such as tri(C₁-C₄)alkylsilyl (e.g. trimethylsilyl, t-butyldimethylsilyl, t-butyldiphenylmethylsilyl), a substituted methyl group (e.g. methoxymethyl, 2-methoxyethoxymethyl, benzyloxymethyl, methylthiomethyl), a tetrahydropyranyl group, etc. Specific examples of the protecting group for hydroxyl are a C₁-C₈ alkyl group such as C₁-C₄ alkyl (e.g. methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl, sec-butyl, t-butyl), a substituted methyl group (e.g. methoxymethyl, benzyloxymethyl, 2-methoxyethoxymethyl, t-butoxymethyl, methylthiomethyl, 2,2,2-trichloroethoxymethyl), a tetrahydropyranyl group, a substituted ethyl group (e.g. 1-ethoxyethyl, 1-methyl-1-methoxyethyl, trichloroethyl), an optionally substituted monophenylmethyl, diphenylmethyl or triphenylmethyl group (e.g. benzyl, p-methoxybenzyl, o-nitrobenzyl, p-nitrobenzyl, p-chlorobenzyl, diphenylmethyl, triphenylmethyl), a substituted silyl group (e.g. trimethylsilyl, triethylsilyl, t-butyldimethylsilyl, t-butyldiphenylsilyl), a formyl group, a C₂-C₈ alkanoyl group such as C₂-C₅ alkanoyl (e.g. acetyl, isobutyroyl, pivaloyl), a halogenated C₁-C₈ alkanoyl group (e.g. dichloroacetyl, trichloroacetyl, trifluoroacetyl), an arylcarbonyl group (e.g. benzoyl, toluoyl, naphthoyl), a C₁-C₈ alkoxycarbonyl group such as C₁-C₅ alkoxycarbonyl (e.g. methoxycarbonyl, ethoxycarbonyl, isobutoxycarbonyl), a halogenated C₁-C₈ alkoxycarbonyl group such as C₁-C₅ alkoxycarbonyl substituted with one to three halogen atoms (e.g. 2-iodoethoxycarbonyl, 2,2,2-trichloroethoxycarbonyl), a C₂-C₈ alkenyloxycarbonyl group such as C₂-C₆ alkenyloxycarbonyl (e.g. vinyloxycarbonyl, allyloxycarbonyl), an optionally substituted arylmethyloxycarbonyl group such as optionally substituted phenylmethyloxycarbonyl (e.g. benzyloxycarbonyl, p-methoxybenzyloxycarbonyl, 2,4-dimethoxybenzyloxycarbonyl, o-nitrobenzyloxycarbonyl, p-nitrobenzyloxycarbonyl), etc. Examples of the protected formyl group are a di(C₁-C₈)alkoxymethyl group such as di(C₁-C₄)alkoxymethyl (e.g. dimethoxymethyl, diethoxymethyl, di-n-propyloxymethyl), a di(halogenated C₁-C₈ alkoxy)methyl group (e.g. di(trichloroethoxy)methyl), a di(aryloxy)methyl group (e.g. di(phenyloxy)methyl), a di(aryl(C₁-C₈)alkoxy)methyl group (e.g. dibenzyloxymethyl), a cyclic group of the formula: (wherein Y is an oxygen atom or a sulfur atom and n is an integer of 2 or 3), etc. The 1-alkylcarbapenem compounds (III) can be obtained according to the following scheme A: wherein R ,R₂ and X are as defined above and R₁ is a hydrogen atom or a protecting group for carboxyl, R₆ is a hydrogen atom or a protecting group for hydroxyl, and Z is an organic group. Further intermediates in the production of the 1-alkyl carbapenem compounds (III) are amino acids of the general formula (I) wherein R,R₁,R₂ and X are as defined above. Among the amino acid compounds of the formula (I), preferred are those wherein R represents a methyl group. More preferred are those wherein R represents a methyl group, R₂ represents a benzyl group, a 2-propenyl group, a 2-furylmethyl group or a 2,2-dimethoxyethyl group. The amino acid compound (I) can be produced from the corresponding acetylenamine compound of the formula: wherein R, R₁, R₂ and X are each as defined above by reduction. The reduction may be performed by a per se conventional reduction procedure such as catalytic hydrogenation using a catalyst (e.g. platinum, palladium, nickel), reduction with an alkali metal (e.g. lithium, sodium) in liquid ammonia or a C₁-C₈ alkylamine, reduction with a metal hydride such as aluminium hydride, an organic tin hydride (e.g. triethyltin hydride, tri-n-butyltin hydride, triphenyltin hydride) or a hydrosilane (e.g. trimethylsilane, triethylsilane, diethylsilane), reduction with an optionally substituted borane (e.g. diborane, 9-borabicyclo[3.3.1]-nonane, dibenzoyloxyborane, monochloroborane, dichloroborane, catecholborane, dicyclohexylborane), reduction with a metal complex hydride (e.g. lithium aluminium hydride, sodium borohydride, sodium cyanoborohydride, lithium cyanoborohydride, sodium acetoxyborohydride), etc. The reduction may be accomplished in a single stage or two stages; in the latter case, different reduction procedures may be adopted at different stages. Among various reduction procedures as above, the most preferred are the following two: Procedure A:- The acetylenamine compound (II) is treated with a reducing agent (e.g. sodium cyanoborohydride, sodium borohydride, sodium acetoxyborohydride) in an inert solvent (e.g. acetic acid, propionic acid, ethanol, methanol) in the presence of an acid such as a mineral acid (e.g. hydrochloric acid, sulfuric acid) or a carboxylic acid (e.g. acetic acid, propionic acid, tartaric acid, oxalic acid) to give the amino acid compound (I). The reducing agent is usually employed in an amount of 2 to 5 equivalents to the acetylenamine compound (II). The treatment is normally effected at a temperature of about 40°C to 80°C, although a lower temperature or a higher temperature may be adopted for suppressing or promoting the progress of the reduction. It is particularly preferred that the treatment is effected with sodium cyanoborohydride (NaBH₃CN) or sodium borohydride (NaBH₄) in the presence of acetic acid or propionic acid. Procedure B:- The acetylenamine compound (II) is treated first with an optionally substituted borane and then with a reducing agent, followed by solvolysis to give the amino acid compound (I). As the optionally substituted borane, there may be used diborane, 9-borabicyclo[3.3.1]nonane, dibenzoyloxyborane, monochloroborane, dichloroborane, catecholborane or the like, preferably catecholborane or the like. The amount of the optionally substituted borane may be usually from 1 to 2.5 equivalents to the acetylenamine compound (II). Treatment with the optionally substituted borane is usually effected in an inert solvent such as an ether (e.g. tetrahydrofuran, diethyl ether, dioxane, diglyme), a halogenated hydrocarbon (e.g. chloroform, dichloromethane) or an aromatic hydrocarbon (e.g. benzene, toluene) at an temperature of -100°C to room temperature. The subsequent treatment with a reducing agent (e.g. sodium cyanoborohydride, sodium borohydride) is usually performed in an inert solvent (e.g. acetic acid, propionic acid, ether, tetrahydrofuran, chloroform) in the presence of an acid (e.g. acetic acid, propionic acid, oxalic acid, hydrochloric acid, sulfuric acid) at a temperature of about -40 to 80°C. The amount of the reducing agent may be normally about 1 to 3 equivalents to the acetylenamine compound (II). The solvolysis of the reaction product may be accomplished in a solvent such as water or methanol in the presence of a base (e.g. sodium hydrogen carbonate, sodium carbonate, sodium hydroxide) at a temperature of about 0 to 40°C. The amino acid compound (I) comprises four asymmetric carbon atoms and have many optical isomers and stereo isomers based thereon. According to Procedure A or B as illustrated above, there are predominantly produced four kinds of isomers, i.e. the isomers of the following formulas: wherein R, R₁, R₂ and X are each as defined above and their respective enantiomers. Depending upon the reaction conditions, the proportion of these isomers in the reaction mixture is varied. When appropriate reaction conditions are chosen, there is obtainable a reaction mixture comprising as the major products the isomer (Ia) and its enantiomer, said isomer (Ia) being derivable to the corresponding 1β-alkyl-carbapenem compound of the formula: wherein R and R₁ are each as defined above, R₆ is a hydrogen atom or a protecting group for hydroxyl and Z is an organic group. Separation of each enantiomer may be accomplished by a procedure as hereinafter illustrated. The steps of the scheme A are further described as set out below: Step (i):- The amino acid compound (I) is converted into the corresponding free acid (IV) by application of a per se conventional carboxyl-protecting group-elimination procedure thereto. When the amino acid compound (I) wherein X is a protected carboxyl group is used as the starting material, it may be treated according to the method as disclosed in Tetrahedron Letters, 21 , 2783-2786 (1980) and 22 , 913-916 (1981) to give the corresponding free acid as shown below: wherein R, R₁ and R₂ are each as defined above and R ' / 1 and R '' / 1 are each a protecting group for carboxyl. The step (1) is concerned with lactonization of the compound (Ic) to the lactone (V). The lactonization may be accomplished by treatment of the compound (Ic) with a hydrogen halide (e.g. hydrogen chloride, hydrogen bromide) in an inert solvent such as a halogenated hydrocarbon (e.g. methylene chloride, chloroform, dichloroethane) or an ether (e.g. tetrahydrofuran, dioxane). When the compound (Ic) is a mixture of the (Ia) type isomer and the (Ib) type isomer, the (Ia) type isomer is selectively converted into the compound (Va) as shown below, which can be derived to 1β-methyl or alkyl carbapenem compounds: wherein R, R₁, R₂ and R ' / 1 are each as defined above. In the step (2), the lactone (V) is converted into the free acid (IV'). This conversion may be accomplished in the manner as disclosed in the aforementioned literatures and will be hereinafter explained in detail. The lactone (V) involves a variety of stereo isomers, and the method as hereinafter explained is equally applicable to all of them, although the subsequent description will be made on the compound (Va) for the sake of convenience. Method (a):- wherein R, R₁, R₂ and R '' / 1 are each as defined above. The compound (Va) is subjected to selective hydrolysis of the lactone ring with alkali to give the compound (Id), which is then subjected to protection of the free carboxyl group with a protecting group (R₁'') which is not influenced during the removal of the carboxyl-protecting group R₁, followed by removal of the latter (R₁) to give the compound (IV'a). As the reagent in the selective hydrolysis, there may be used an aqueous solution of barium hydroxide, sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide, calcium hydroxide, tetrahydrobutylammonium hydroxide or the like, preferably an aqueous solution of barium hydroxide. The reaction medium is not limitative, and any one as conventionally used in alkali hydrolysis may be employed; preferred are tetrahydrofuran, acetone, methanol, pyridine, etc. and their mixtures with water. The reaction is favorably carried out at a temperature of 0 to 70°C, but a lower temperature or a higher temperature may be adopted for suppression or promotion of the reaction. The carboxyl group-protection and the carboxyl group-elimination may be accomplished by per se conventional procedures, respectively. Method (b):- wherein R, R₁, R '' / 1 are each as defined above and R ' / 2 is a protecting group for amino. The amino acid having a free amino group (IV'b) can be produced from the compound (Vb) by hydrolysis of the ester, elimination of the amino-protecting group and cleavage of the lactone ring. When, for instance, the carboxyl-protecting group is a C₁-C₈ alkyl group and the amino-protecting group is an arylmethyl group such as benzyl, the compound (Vb) is first treated with a mineral acid (e.g. hydrochloric acid), whereby selective hydrolysis takes place to give the compound (Vc). The compound (Vc) is then subjected to hydrogenolysis in the presence of a catalyst such as palladium hydroxide-carbon, whereby the amino-protecting group is removed to give the compound (Vd). Then, the compound (Vd) is subjected to alcoholysis by the use of an alcohol (e.g. benzyl alcohol), whereby the lactone ring is cleaved to give the compound (IV'b). Method (c):- wherein R, R₁, R₂ and R '' / 1 are each as defined above. The compound (IV'c) wherein the steric configuration of the hydroxyl group is inversed to that in the compound (IV'a) can be obtained from the amino acid compound (Id) by lactonization of the latter with diethyl azodicarboxylate and triphenylphosphine and conversion of the resultant compound (Ve) to the compound (IV'c) by application of Methods (a) and (b) as above. In the lactonization, any auxiliary agent such as an organic base (e.g. triethylamine) may be used to accelerate production of the compound (Ve). Alternatively, the compound (Ic) wherein X is a protected carboxyl group may be converted into the compound (Id) by selective hydrolysis with an alkali as set forth below: wherein R, R₁, R₂ and R ' / 1 are each as defined above. As the reagent in the selective hydrolysis, there may be used an aqueous solution of barium hydroxide, sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide, calcium hydroxide, tetrahydrobutylammonium hydroxide or the like, among which an aqueous solution of barium hydroxide is the most preferred. The reaction medium may be any one as conventionally employed in conventional alkali hydrolysis, and there may be used, for instance, tetrahydrofuran, acetone, methanol, pyridine, etc. or their mixtures with water. The reaction is favorably carried out at a temperature of 0 to 70°C, but a lower temperature or a higher temperature may be adopted for suppression or acceleration of the reaction. Step (ii):- The amino acid compound (IV) is subjected to dehydrative cyclization to give the azetidinone compound (VI). The dehydrative cyclization may be accomplished, for instance, by treatment of the amino acid compound (IV) with a dehydrating agent such as 2,2-dipyridyl disulfidetriphenylphospine or dicyclohexylcarbodiimide in the presence or absence of a base in an inert solvent [J.Am. Chem.Soc., 103 , 2405-2406 (1981); Tetrahedron Letters, 21 , 2783-2786 (1980); ibid., 22 , 913-916 (1981)]. Step (iii):- With without any previous protection of the hydroxyl group on the side chain at the 3-position by a per se conventional procedure, the azetidinone compound (VI) is converted into the corresponding carboxylic acid (VII). For this conversion, there may be adopted any appropriate procedure depending upon the kind of the group X. In case of X being a protected carboxyl group, the azetidinone compound (VI) may be subjected to hydrolysis, hydrogention, treatment with an acid or the like. In case of X being a protected hydroxymethyl group, the azetidinone compound (VI) may be subjected to removal of the hydroxyl-protecting group by a per se conventional procedure, and the thus recovered hydroxymethyl group is then oxidized, for instance, with chromic acid to give the compound (VII) [J.Am.Chem.Soc., 105 , 1659-1660 (1983)]. In case of X being -CH₂SR₅, the azetidinone compound (VI) may be treated with an alkyl halide (e.g. methyl iodide) to convert -CH₂SR₅ into a halomethyl group, which is then changed to a hydroxymethyl group by a per se conventional procedure. The resultant hydroxymethyl group is then oxidized in the same manner as above to give the compound (VII) [Tetrahedron Letters, 5787 -5788 (1968)]. Step (iv):- The azetidinone compound (VII) wherein R₂ is a hydrogen atom is already known and used as the starting material for production of the 1-methyl or alkylcarbapenem compounds [Heterocycles, 21 , 29-40 (1984); Tetrahedron Letters, 26 , 587-590 (1985)]. When R₂ comprises any protecting group, an appropriate procedure for elimination of the protecting group such as hydrogenation, oxidative removal or treatment with an acid may be first applied to the azetidinone compound (VII), whereby the protecting group is eliminated. When R₂ is a group of the formula: the azetidinone compound (VIII) may be converted into the azetidinone compound (X) as shown below [Japanese Patent Application No. 123117/1985]: wherein R, R₁, R₃, R₄ and R₆ are each as defined above. Namely, the compound (VIII) is first subjected to oxidation to give the compound (IX). The oxidation may be accomplished by a per se conventional procedure; for instance, the compound (VIII) is oxidized with ozone and then treated with an oxidizing agent (e.g. m-chloroperbenzoic acid), or treated with potassium permanganate in the presence or absence of a phase transfer catalyst such as a crown ether or a quaternary ammonium compound. The thus produced compound (IX) is then subjected to protection of the carboxyl group, removal of the protecting group and acylation with thiophenol as set forth above, whereby the compound (X) is obtained. When R₂ is a 2-furylmethyl group, the compound (VIII') may be converted into the compound (X) through the compound (IX) in entirely the same manner as above. wherein R, R₁ and R₆ are each as defined above. When R₂ is a protected beta-hydroxyethyl group, the hydroxyl-protecting group is eliminated by a per se conventional procedure. The resulting beta-hydroxyethyl group is oxidized, for instance, with chromic acid to a carboxyl group. The thus produced compound, for instance, the compound (IX) may be then converted into the compound (X) in the same manner as above. When R₂ is a protected formylmethyl group, the formyl-protecting group is eliminated by a per se conventional procedure. The resulting formylmethyl group is oxidized, for instance, with chromic acid to a carboxyl group. The thus produced compound, for instance, the compound (IX) may be then converted into the compound (X) in the same manner as above. When R₂ is a protected carboxymethyl group, the carboxyl-protecting group is eliminated by a per se conventional procedure. The resulting compound (IX) is then converted into the compound (X) in the same manner as above. The compound (X) as above produced may be converted into the 1-methyl or alkylcarbapenem compound, for instance, by the method as disclosed in Japanese Patent Application No. 290,480/85 as shown below: wherein R₁ is as defined above, R ' / 6 is a protecting group for hydroxyl and Ph is a phenyl group. In the above route, the conversion in the step (c) may be accomplished by treating the compound (Xa) with a base (e.g. sodium diisopropylamide, sodium hydride) in an inert solvent such as an ether (e.g. tetrahydrofuran), an aromatic hydrocarbon (e.g. toluene) and their mixtures. The subsequent conversion of the compound (XI) to the compound (XII) in the step (d) may be carried out by reacting the former with diphenylphosphoryl chloride in an inert solvent (e.g. acetonitrile) in the presence of a base (e.g. diisopropylethylamine). The compound (XII) can be derived into various 1-methylcarbapenem compounds by known methods as already disclosed in many literatures. As stated above, the amino acid compounds (I) have optical isomers due to the asymmetric carbon atoms present therein. All of these isomers as well as their racemic mixtures are advantageous intermediates in the synthesis of the optically active 1β-methylcarbapenem compounds. Preferred are especially the isomers (Ia), which are especially advantageous intermediates in the synthesis of the optically active 1β-methylcarbapenem compounds of the formula: wherein Z is as defined above. The optically active 1β-methylcarbapenem compounds of the formula (IIIa) can be also produced by optical resolution of the compounds (VII) or of the carboxyl or amino group-containing compounds as the intermediates in the route from the amino acid compounds (I) to the compounds (VII). For instance, the optical resolution may be accomplished in the manner as set forth below. A mixture of the (3S,4S) isomer and the (3R,4R) isomer of the compound (VII) is admixed with an optically active amine in an inert solvent to form a salt between the compound (VII) and the optically active amine, which is as such fractionally crystallized. Alternatively, said salt is once crystallized, and the collected crystals are subjected to fractional crystallization, whereby the optically active amine salt of the (3S,4S) isomer and the optically active amine salt of the (3R,4R) isomer are obtained. Decomposition of the optically active amine salt of the (3S,4S) isomer or of the (3R,4R) isomer gives the (3S,4S) isomer or the (3R,4R) isomer. As the optically active amine, there may be used alpha-phenethylamine, alpha-naphthylamine, norephedrine, cinchonine, cinchonidine, quinine, quinidine, 1-(2-naphthyl)ethylamine (NEA), brucine, 1,1-diphenyl-2-aminopropanol, 1-phenyl-2-(p-tolyl)ethylamine, etc. Among them, particularly preferred are cinchonine, cinchonidine, quinine, quinidine, etc. As the inert solvent usable on production and/or decomposition of the optically active amine salt, there are exemplified hydrocarbons (e.g. pentane, hexane, cyclohexane), aromatic hydrocarbons (e.g. benzene, toluene, xylene), halogenated hydrocarbons (e.g. dichloromethane, chloroform, 1,2-dichloroethane), ethers (e.g. diethyl ether, tetrahydrofuran, dioxane), alcohols (e.g. methanol, ethanol, isopropanol), nitriles (e.g. acetonitrile), ketones (e.g. acetone, methylethylketone), water, etc. Their mixtures are also usable. Among them, preferred are isopropanol, ethyl acetate, acetone and their mixtures. Production of the salt is usually effected by dissolving a mixture of the isomers of the compound (VII) and the optically active amine in an inert solvent while heating up to the refluxing temperature of the solvent. The resultant solution is allowed to cool, if possible, gradually, whereby fractional crystallization takes place. Alternatively, said solution is cooled, and the precipitated crystals are collected by filtration; the collected crystals are subjected to fractional crystallization to precipitate one of the diastereomer salts. The precipitated diastereomer salt is collected, optionally followed by recrystallization to give the diastereomer salt of high purity. Crystallization is usually performed within a range of 0°C to room temperature, but a lower temperature range from -20°C to room temperature or a higher temperature range up to 40°C may be adopted. The amount of the optically active amine may be appropriately controlled depending upon the mixing proportion of the isomers of the compound (VII). When, for instance, the proportion of the (3S,4S) isomer and the (3R,4R) isomer is 1 : 1, the optically active amine may be used in an amount of 0.5 to 1.2 mole, preferably of 1 to 1.1 mole, to 1 mole of the compound (VII). The amount of an inert solvent usable for fractional crystallization is varied with the kind of the solvent. When, for instance, ethyl acetate is used as the solvent, its weight may be from 10 to 100 times, preferably from 20 to 40 times, that of the compound (VII). The thus produced optically active amine salt of the desired isomer of the compound (VII) shows good filtrability. Further, it is of optically high purity. Therefore, the above explained process is advantageous from the industrial viewpoint. Decomposition of the optically active amine salt as above obtained may be accomplished by treating said salt with an acid or an alkali in an inert solvent (e.g. water, methylisobutylketone, ethyl acetate, dichloroethane, 1,2-dichloroethane). Application of conventional chemical and physical separation procedures to the reaction mixture gives the desired isomer of the compound (VII). As the acid usable for the decomposition, there may be favorably employed a mineral acid such as hydrochloric acid or sulfuric acid. Examples of the alkali usable are aqueous solutions of sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide, sodium carbonate, potassium carbonate, etc. The optical resolution as above explained may be applied to any of the compounds (VII) wherein R, R₂ and R₆ have various meanings as above defined, but preferred are those of the formula (VII) wherein R is methyl, R₂ is a furylmethyl group, an optionally substituted monoarylmethyl group (e.g. benzyl, p-methoxybenzyl, 2,4-dimethoxybenzyl, o-nitrobenzyl, p-nitrobenzyl) or an optionally substituted diarylmethyl group (e.g. diphenylmethyl, di-p-anisylmethyl), espeically furylmethyl, and R₆ is a hydrogen atom. The compound (IIIa) has a 1-hydroxyethyl group at the 6-position, and the hydroxyl group in said 1-hydroxyethyl group attaches to the carbon atom at the 8-position. The compound (IIIa) wherein said hydroxyl group takes an S-configuration can be produced by using the compound (Ia) as such. The compound (IIIa) wherein said hydroxyl group takes an R-configuration can be obtained by inversion of the steric configuration of the hydroxyl group in any intermediate in the route from the compound (Ia) to the compound (VII). For inversion of the hydroxyl group, there may be adopted any conventional procedure such as the one using diethyl azodicarboxylate and triphenylphosphine [Tetrahedron Letters, 21 , 2783-2786 (1980) and 22 , 913-916 (1981)] or the one wherein the hydroxyl group is oxidized to an oxo group and the oxo group is stereospecifically reduced with a reducing agent such as potassium selectride [J.Am.Chem.Joc., 102 , 6161-6163 (1980)]. The acetylenamine compound (II) as the starting material for production of the amino acid compound (I) can be manufactured by various processes, of which some typical examples are as follows: Process [A]:- wherein R₁, R₂, X and R are each as defined above. The acetylenamine compound (II) can be produced by reacting the acetylenamine compound (XIII) with an alkylating agent in the presence of a base in an inert solvent. Examples of the alkylating agent are C₁-C₈ alkyl halides (e.g. methyl iodide, ethyl iodide, n-butyl bromide), C₁-C₈ alkyl sulfonates (e.g. methyl tosylate, ethyl tosylate, methyl methanesulfonate, ethyl methanesulfonate, methyl trifluoromethanesulfonate). Examples or the base are alkali metal hydrides (e.g. sodium hydride, potassium hydride), alkali metal amides (e.g. sodium amide, lithium diisopropylamide, lithium bis(trimethylsilyl)amide), alkali metal alkoxides (e.g. sodium methoxide, sodium ethoxide, potassium methoxide, potassium t-butoxide), alkali metals (e.g. metallic sodium, metallic lithium), alkali metal carbonates (e.g. potassium carbonate, sodium carbonate), n-butyl lithium, sodium methylsulfinylmethide, etc. Examples of the inert solvent are aromatic hydrocarbons (e.g. benzene, toluene), ethers (e.g. diethyl ether, tetrahydrofuran, dioxane), ketones (e.g. acetone, methylisobutylketone), alcohols (e.g. methanol, ethanol, t-butanol), dimethylformamide, dimethylsulfoxide, hexamethylphosphoric amide (HMPT), etc. The alkylating agent and the base are desired to be used respectively in sufficient amounts so that the reaction will proceed smoothly. The reaction may be effected at room temperature, but when desired, cooling or heating may be applied so as to suppress or accelerate the progress of the reaction. Post-treatment of the reaction mixture may be effected by a per se conventional procedure. Process [B]:- wherein R, R₁, R₂ and X are each as defined above. The acetylenamine compound (II) can be produced by reacting the enamine compound (XIV) with an acetylating agent at the alpha-position to the ester group in an inert solvent. Examples of the acetylating agent are ketene, acetic anhydride, acetyl halides (e.g. acetyl chloride), etc. When acetic anhydride or an acetyl halide is used as the acetylating agent, the reaction is normally effected in the presence of a base (e.g. triethylamine, pyridine). Examples of the inert solvent are aromatic hydrocarbons (e.g. benzene, toluene), halogenated hydrocarbons (e g. chloroform, dichloromethane, 1,2-dichloroethane), ethers (e.g. diethyl ether, tetrahydrofuran, dioxane), ketones (e.g. acetone, methylisobutylketone), etc. The acetylating agent and, when employed, the base are desired to be used respectively in sufficient amounts so that the reaction will proceed smoothly. The reaction may be effected normally at a temperature of -10 to 95°C, but a lower temperature or a higher temperature may be adopted for suppressing or accelerating the reaction. Post-treatment of the reaction mixture may be effected by a per se conventional procedure. The present invention will now be illustrated in greater detail with reference to the following Examples and Reference Examples, but it should be understood that these examples are given only for illustrative purposes and are not limiting the present invention. In Examples and Reference Examples, the following abbreviations are used: PNB: p-nitrobenzyl group Bn: benzyl group Ph: phenyl group Me: methyl group Et: ethyl group tBu: t-butyl group Tr: triphenylmethyl group TBMS: t-butyldimethylsilyl group BOM: benzyloxymethyl group MOM: methoxymethyl group MEM: 2-methoxyethoxymethyl group MTM: methylthiomethyl group. Example 1 Ethyl benzyl 2-acetyl-3-furfurylamino-4-methyl-2-pentenedioate (400 mg; 1 mmole) was dissolved in dry tetrahydrofuran (4 ml), and catechol borane (156 mg; 1.3 mmole) was dropwise added thereto at -78°C, followed by stirring at the same temperature for 1 hour. The resulting mixture was returned to room temperature, and the solvent was removed by distillation under reduced pressure. To the residue, acetic acid (4.0 ml) was added, and sodium borohydride (76 mg; 2 mmole) was gradually added thereto at 10 to 12°C, followed by stirring at the same temperature for 30 minutes and further at room temperature for 3 hours. Thereafter, acetic acid was distilled off at room temperature, and chloroform was added thereto. The organic layer was washed with a saturated sodium bicarbonate solution six times and then with an aqueous sodium chloride solution and dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate. Removal of the solvent under reduced pressure gave a mixture of ethyl benzyl (2SR,3RS,4RS)-2-[1(SR)-hydroxyethyl]-3-furfurylamino-4-methylpentanedioate (2a) and ethyl benzyl (2RS,3SR,4RS)-2-[1(RS)-hydroxyethyl]-3-furfurylamino-4-methylpentanedioate (2b) in a ratio of 97/3. Yield, 74 %. IR (CHCl₃): 1723, 1452, 1373, 1260, 1160 (cm⁻¹). NMR δ (CDCl₃): (2a): 7.36 (m, 5H), 6.30 [dd (J = 2.0 and 3.3 Hz), 1H], 6.20 (d (J = 3.3 Hz), 1H], 5.12 (ABq, 2H), 4.09 [q (J = 7.3 Hz), 2H], 4.01 [dq (J = 2.3 and 6.6 Hz), 1H], 3.88 (ABq, 2H), 3.15 [dd (J = 4.0 and 5.6 Hz), 1H], 2.90 (m, 1H), 2.59 [dd (J = 2.3 and 3.6 Hz), 1H], 1.18 - 1.26 (9H). Example 2 A solution of dimethyl 2-acetyl-3-allylamino-4-methyl-2-pentenedioate 830mg; 3.08 mmole) in acetic acid (135 ml) was dropwise added to a solution of sodium cyanoborohydride (387 mg; 6,16 mmole) in acetic acid (121 ml) at 10 to 12°C in 20 minutes, and the resultant mixture was stirred at the same temperature for 2 hours. Acetic acid was removed under reduced pressure, and the residue was diluted with ethyl acetate and washed with a saturated sodium bicarbonate solution three times and then with an aqueous solution of sodium chloride one time. The reaction mixture was dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate, the solvent was removed under reduced pressure and the residue was purified by silica gel column chromatography to give a mixture of dimethyl (2SR,3RS,4RS)-2-[1(SR)-hydroxyethyl]-3-allylamino-4-methylpentanedioate (5a) and dimethyl (2RS,3SR,4RS)-2-[1(RS)-hydroxyethyl]-3-allylamino-4-methylpentanedioate (5b) in a ratio of 3.2/1 (calculated on the basis of the integral ratio in NMR). Yield, 69% IR (neat): 3350, 1735, 1436, 1198, 1164 (cm⁻¹). NMR δ (CDCl₃): (5a): 3.69 (s, 3H), 3.67 (s, 3H), 3.54 [dd (J = 5.6 and 13.5 Hz), 1H], 2.57 [dd (J = 2.0 and 3.6 Hz), 1H], 1.23 [d (J = 7.3 Hz), 3H], 1.18 [d (J = 6.9 Hz), 3H]. Example 3 p-Nitrobenzyl 2-acetyl-3-allylamino-4-methyl-5-phenylthio-2-pentenoate (92 mg; 0.2 mmole) was dissolved in acetic acid (0.2 ml), and sodium cyanoborohydride (15 mg; 0.24 mmole) was portionwise added thereto at 8 to 10°C, followed by stirring at the same temperature for 2 hours. After removal of acetic acid under reduced pressure, the reaction mixture was diluted with ethyl acetate. The organic layer was washed with a saturated sodium bicarbonate solution three times and then with an aqueous sodium chloride solution one time and dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate, followed by removal of the solvent under reduced pressure. The residue was purified by silica gel column chromatography to give a mixture of p-nitrobenzyl (2SR,3RS,4RS)-2-[1(SR)-hydroxyethyl]-3-allylamino-4-methyl-5-phenylthiopentanoate (8a) and p-nitrobenzyl (2RS,3SR,4RS)-2-[1(RS)-hydroxyethyl]-3-allylamino-4-methyl-5-phenylthiopentanoate (8b) in a ratio of 2/1. Yield, 75 %. IR (neat): 3360, 1730, 1521, 1342, 1152, 738 (cm⁻¹). NMR δ (CDCl₃): (8a): 5.81 (m, 1H), 5.22 (s, 2H), 5.08 (m, 2H), 4.04 [dq (J = 2.6 and 6.6 Hz), 1H], 2.61 (dd (J = 2.6 and 4.3 Hz), 1H], 2.54 [dd (J = 8.6 and 12.5 Hz), 1H), 2.08 (m, 1H), 1.20 [d (J = 6.3 Hz), 3H], 1.08 [d (J = 6.8 Hz), 3H]. (8b): 5.83 (m, 1H), 5.21 (s, 2H), 5.13 (m, 2H), 4.09 [dq (J = 2.6 and 6.6 Hz), 1H], 3.36 (dd (J = 5.6 and 13.9 Hz), 1H], 3.14 [dd (J = 3.3 and 5.3 Hz), 1H], 3.08 [dd (J = 6.6 and 13.9 Hz), 1H], 2.90 [dd (J = 3.3 and 7.3 Hz), 2H], 2.55 [t (J = 3.3 Hz), 1H], 2.16 (m, 1H), 1.18 [d (J = 6.3 Hz), 3H], 0.88 [d (J = 7.3 Hz), 3H]. Example 4 Methyl 2-acetyl-3-allylamino-4-methyl-5-benzyloxy-2-pentenoate (350 mg; 1.06 mmole) was dissolved in acetic acid (3.5 ml), and sodium cyanoborohydride (138 mg; 2.2 mmole) was portionwise added thereto, followed by stirring at 10 to 12°C for 1 hour. After removal of acetic acid under reduced pressure, the reaction mixture was diluted with ethyl acetate. The organic layer was washed with a saturated sodium bicarbonate solution three times and then with an aqueous sodium chloride solution one time and dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate, followed by removal of the solvent under reduced pressure. The residue was purified by silica gel column chromatography to give a mixture of methyl (2SR,3RS,4RS)-2-[1(SR)-hydroxyethyl]-3-allylamino-4-methyl-5-benzyloxypentanoate (9a) and methyl (2RS,3SR,4RS)-2-[1(RS)-hydroxyethyl]-3-allylamino-4-methyl-5-benzyloxypentanoate (9b) in a ratio of 1.5/1 (calculated on the basis of the integral ratio in NMR). IR (neat): 3349, 1725, 1450, 1158, 1086, 910, 732 (cm⁻¹). NMR δ (CDCl₃): (9a): 3.64 (s, 3H), 2.54 [dd (J = 2.3 and 4.0 Hz), 1H], 1.20 [d (J = 6.3 Hz), 3H], 1.00 [d (J = 6.9 Hz), 3H]. (9b): 3.68 (s, 3H), 2.46 (m, 1H), 1.18 [d (J = 6.6 Hz), 3H], 0.85 [d (J = 6.9 Hz), 3H]. Examples 5 and 6 The amino acid compound (I) was produced as a mixture of the [1'SR,2SR,3RS,4RS] isomer (a) and the [1'RS,2RS,3SR,4RS] isomer (b) from the corresponding acetylenamine compound (II). The reaction conditions, the yield and the ratio of the isomers (a) and (b) in the product are shown in Table 1. Reference Example 1-1 Methacrylic acid (6.88 g; 80 mmole) was dissolved in dry tetrahydrofuran (40 ml), and triethylamine (8.0 g; 80 mmole) and thiophenol (8.81 g; 80 mmole) were successively added thereto at room temperature, followed by stirring for 24 hours. Removal of the solvent under reduced pressure gave 2-methyl-3-phenylthiopropionic acid. IR (neat): 1705, 1572, 1475, 1390, 1212, 1160 (cm⁻¹). Reference Example 1-2 2-Methyl-3-phenylthiopropionic acid (4.60 g; 23.44 mmole) was dissolved in dry acetonitrile (20 ml), and 1,1-carbonyldiimidazole (4.56 g; 28.13 mmole) was added thereto with ice-cooling, and the resultant mixture was stirred at the same temperature for 30 minutes. The reaction mixture was dropwise added to a solution of malonic acid p-nitrobenzyl ester magnesium salt (17.53 g; 33 mmole) in dry acetonitrile (70 ml) at 50°C, and the resultant mixture was stirred at the same temperature for 30 minutes. After completion of the reaction, the reaction mixture was returned to room temperature and diluted with ethyl acetate. The organic layer was washed successively with 1N hydrochloric acid, water, a saturated sodium bicarbonate solution, water and an aqueous sodium chloride solution and dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate. The solvent was removed under reduced pressure, and the residue was purified by silica gel column chromatography to give p-nitrobenzyl 3-oxo-4-methyl-5-phenylthiopentanoate. IR (neat): 1738, 1704, 1415, 1347, 732 (cm⁻¹). Reference Example 1-3 p-Nitrobenzyl 3-oxo-4-methyl-5-phenylthiopentanoate (1.12 g; 3 mmole) was dissolved in a mixture of methylene chloride (1 ml) and methanol (4 ml), and benzylamine (1.61 g; 15 mmole) and molecular sieve 3A (2 g) were added thereto. To the resultant mixture, a solution of acetyl chloride (785 mg; 10 mmole) in dry methanol (2 ml) was added and allowed to stand at room temperature for 2 days. The molecular sieve was removed by filtration, and the reaction mixture was diluted with ethyl acetate. The organic layer was washed successively with a saturated sodium bicarbonate solution, water and an aqueous sodium chloride solution, dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate and concentrated under reduced pressure. The residue was purified by silica gel column chromatography to give p-nitrobenzyl 3-benzylamino-4-methyl-5-phenylthio-2-pentenoate. IR (neat): 1652, 1600, 1344, 1171, 733 (cm⁻¹). Reference Example 1-4-(1) p-Nitrobenzyl 3-benzylamino-4-methyl-5-phenylthio-2-pentenoate (505 mg; 1 mmole) was dissolved in toluene (5 ml), and gaseous ketene was introduced therein at room temperature. After completion of the reaction, the solvent was removed under reduced pressure, and the residue was purified by silica gel column chromatography to give p-nitrobenzyl 2-acetyl-3-benzylamino-4-methyl-5-phenylthio-2-pentenoate. IR (neat): 1705, 1583, 1519, 1341, 1270, 1092,737 (cm⁻¹). Reference Example 1-4-(2) p-Nitrobenzyl 3-benzylamino-4-methyl-5-phenylthio-2-pentenoate (1.58 g; 3.51 mmole) was dissolved in tolune (5 ml), and trimethylamine (1.06 g; 10.5 mmole) was added thereto at 50 to 60°C. Acetyl chloride (630 mg; 8.0 mmole) was further added thereto all at once, and the resultant mixture was stirred for 10 minutes. Benzene (50 ml) was added to the reaction mixture, which was washed successively with a saturated sodium bicarbonate solution, water, dilute hydrochloric acid and an aqueous sodium chloride solution and dried over anhydrous magnesium sulfate. The solvent was removed under reduced pressure, and the residue was purified by silica gel column chromatography to give p-nitrobenzyl 2-acetyl-3-benzylamino-4-methyl-5-phenylthio-2-pentenoate. Reference Example 1-5 In the same manner as in Reference Example 1-3 but using allylamine (842 mg; 15 mmole), there was produced p-nitrobenzyl 3-allylamino-4-methyl-5-phenylthio-2-pentenoate. IR (neat): 1650, 1596, 1342, 1163, 736 (cm⁻¹). Reference Example 1-6 In the same manner as in Reference Example 1-4-(1) but using p-nitrobenzyl 3-allylamino-4-methyl-5-phenylthio-2-pentenoate (454 mg; 1 mmole), there was produced p-nitrobenzyl 2-acetyl-3-allylamino-4-methyl-5-phenylthio-2-pentenoate. IR (neat): 1700, 1581, 1517, 1341, 1266, 733 (cm⁻¹). Reference Example 2-1 Under nitrogen stream, 50 % sodium hydride (5.28 g; 0.11 mole) was added to dry tetrahydrofuran (50 ml), and a solution of methallyl alcohol (7.2 g;0.1 mole) in dry tetrahydrofuran (20 ml) was portionwise added thereto with ice-cooling, followed by stirring for 30 minutes. A solution of benzyl bromide (17.1 g; 0.1 mole) in dry tetrahydrofuran (20 ml) was added thereto to quench the reaction. The reaction mixture was diluted with ethyl acetate and washed successively with 1N hydrochloric acid, water and an aqueous solution of sodium chloride and dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate. Removal of the solvent under reduced pressure gave 1-benzyloxy-2-methyl-2-propene. IR (neat): 1650, 1490, 1442, 1090, 892 (cm⁻¹). Reference Example 2-2 1-Benzyloxy-2-methyl-2-propene (8.1 g; 50 mmole) was dissolved in dry tetrahydrofuran (50 ml), and 1M boranetetrahydrofuran solution (25 ml; 25 mmole) was dropwise added thereto with ice-cooling, followed by stirring at room temperature for 1 hour. After addition of water (4 ml) and 3M sodium hydroxide solutoin (8.5 ml; 25.5 mmole), the reaction mixture was stirred at 40°C for 5 minutes. Then, 35 % hydrogen peroxide solution (5.1 ml; 53 mmole) was added thereto, followed by stirring at the same temperature for 1.5 hours. The reaction mixture was returned to room temperature, a saturated sodium chloride solution (100 ml) was added thereto, and the resulting mixture was extracted with ether (150 ml x 3). The ether extracts were combined together, dried over anhydrous magnesium sulfate and concentrated under reduced pressure to give crude 3-benzyloxy-2-methylpropanol (8.5 g). A portion (5.41 g; 30 mmole) of said crude product was dissolved in acetone (22 ml), and a Jones reagent (1.8 mmole/ml) (16.7 ml; 30 mmole) was dropwise added thereto with ice-cooling, followed by stirring for 3 hours. Insoluble materials were removed by filtration, and the filtrate was shaken with ice water (250 ml) and ethyl acetate (400 ml). The organic layer was extracted with a saturated sodium bicarbonate solution, and the extract was adjusted to pH 2 with conc. hydrochloric acid and extracted with ethyl acetate. The organic layer was dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate and concentrated under reduced pressure. The residue was purified by silica gel column chromatography to give 3-benzyloxy-2-methylpropionic acid. IR (Nujol): 1695, 1455, 1070, 932, 706 (cm⁻¹). Still, the hydroxyl group in methyl (S)-(+)-3-hydroxy-2-methylpropionate could be protected with a benzyl group by reacting it with benzyl bromide in the presence of silver oxide. IR (neat): 1735, 1450, 1360, 1195, 1090, 735 (cm⁻¹). NMR δ (CDCl₃): 7.32 (m, 5H), 4.52 (s, 2H), 3.70 (s, 3H), 3.66 [dd (J = 2.7 and 9.2 Hz), 1H], 3.49 [dd (J = 5.9 and 9.2 Hz), 1H], 2.79 (m, 1H), 1.18 [d (J = 7.3 Hz), 3H]. Reference Example 2-3 3-Benzyloxy-2-methylpropionic acid (3.0 g; 15.4 mmole) was dissolved in dry acetonitrile (20 ml), and 1,1'-carbonyldiimidazole (2.92 g; 18 mmole) was added thereto with ice-cooling, followed by stirring for 30 minutes. The resulting mixture was portionwise added to a solution of malonic acid p-nitrobenzyl ester magnesium salt (9.01 g; 18 mmole) in dry acetonitrile (40 ml) at 50°C, and the resultant mixture was heated under reflux for 3 hours. The reaction mixture was cooled to room temperature and diluted with ethyl acetate. The organic layer was washed successively with water, dilute hydrochloric acid, a saturated sodium bicarbonate solution and an aqueous sodium chloride solution and dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate. After removal of the solvent under reduced pressure, the residue was purified by silica gel column chromatography to give p-nitrobenzyl 3-oxo-5-benzyloxy-4-methylpentanoate. IR (neat): 1720, 1683, 1576, 1490, 1316, 1065, 705 (cm⁻¹). Reference Example 2-4 Sodium borohydride (1.89 g; 50 mmole) was added to methanol (20 ml), and the solution was heated under reflux for 10 minutes and then allowed to cool to room temperature. p-Nitrobenzyl 3-oxo-5-benzyloxy-4-methylpentanoate (3.7 g; 10 mmole) was dropwise added thereto, and the mixture was stirred at room temperature for 2 hours. The reaction mixture was diluted with ethyl acetate and washed with dilute hydrochloric acid and an aqueous solution of sodium chloride and dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate. After removal of the solvent under reduced pressure, the residue was purified by silica gel column chromatography to give methyl 3-oxo-5-benzyloxy-4-methylpentanoate. IR (neat): 1742, 1713, 1622, 1448, 1305, 1090, 735 (cm⁻¹). Reference Example 2-5 Methyl 3-oxo-4-methyl-5-benzyloxypentanoate (1.11 g; 4.43 mmole) was dissolved in dry methanol (5 ml), allylamine (1.26 g) and molecular sieve 3A (0.6 g) were added thereto and then a solution of acetyl chloride (1.04 g; 13.3 mmole) in dry methanol (2 ml) was added thereto with ice-cooling, followed by stirring at 40°C for 12 hours. The molecular sieve was removed by filtration, and the filtrate was diluted with ethyl acetate. The reaction mixture was washed successively with a saturated sodium bicarbonate solution and an aqueous sodium chloride solution, dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate and concentrated under reduced pressure. The residue was dissolved in toluene (5 ml), and gaseous ketene was introduced therein at room temperature. After completion of the reaction, the solvent was removed under reduced pressure, and the residue was purified by silica gel column chromatography to give methyl 2-acetyl-3-allylamino-4-methyl-5-benzyloxy-2-pentenoate. IR (neat): 1702, 1577, 1445, 1438, 1264, 1080, 736 (cm⁻¹). Reference Example 3-1-(1) Methyl (S)-(+)-2-methyl-3-hydroxypropionate (2.0 g; 16.9 mmole) and diisopropylethylamine (2.2 g; 17.1 mmole) were dissolved in dry dichloromethane (2 ml), and benzyloxymethyl chloride (2.7 g; 17.3 mmole) was dropwise added thereto, followed by stirring for 1 hour. 1N Hydrochloric acid (10 ml) and ethyl acetate (20 ml) were added thereto, and the aqueous layer was extracted with ethyl acetate. The extract was combined with the organic layer, washed with a sodium bicarbonate solution and water and dried over anhydrous magnesium sulfate. After removal of the solvent under reduced pressure, the residue was purified by silica gel column chromatography to give methyl (S)-3-benzyloxymethyloxy-2-methylpropionate. IR (neat): 1730, 1445, 1370, 1195, 1030 (cm⁻¹). NMR δ (CDCl₃): 7.34 (s, 5H), 4.75 (s, 2H), 4.59 (s, 2H), 3.70 (s, 3H), 2.81 (m, 1H), 1.20 [d (J = 7.0 Hz), 3H]. In the same manner as above but using methoxymethyl chloride or 2-methoxyethyl chloride in place of benzyloxymethyl chloride, there were produced the following methyl esters: IR (neat): 1725, 1450, 1430, 1193, 1030, 910 (cm⁻¹). NMR δ (CDCl₃): 4.61 (s, 2H), 3.70 (s, 2H), 3.65 (m, 2H), 3.34 (s, 3H), 2.79 (m, 1H), 1.19 [d (J = 7.0 Hz), 3H]. IR (neat): 1735, 1450, 1200, 1110, 1040 (cm⁻¹). NMR δ (CDCl₃): 4.72 (s, 2H), 3.71 (s, 3H), 3.41 (s, 3H), 2.80 (m, 1H), 1.19 [d (J = 7.3 Hz), 3H]. Reference Example 3-1-(2) Methyl (S)-(+)-2-methyl-3-hydroxypropionate (2.36 g; 20 mmole) was dissolved in acetic anhydride (40 ml), and dry dimethylsulfoxide (40 ml) was added thereto, followed by stirring at room temperature for 5 days. The reaction mixture was diluted with water (500 ml) and extracted with a mixture of n-hexane and ethyl acetate (1 : 1). The organic layer was washed successively with water, a saturated sodium bicarbonate solution and water and dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate. After removal of the solvent under reduced pressure, the residue was purified by silica gel column chromatography to give methyl (S)-3-methylthiomethoxy-2-methylpropionate. IR (neat): 1730, 1450, 1432, 1160, 1042 (cm⁻¹). NMR δ (CDCl₃): 1.20 [d (J = 7.3 Hz), 3H], 2.13 (s, 3H), 2.76 (m, 1H), 3.5 - 3.8 (m, 2H), 3.71 (s, 3H), 4.63 (s, 2H). Reference Example 3-1-(3) Methyl (S)-(+)-2-methyl-3-hydroxypropionate (2.36 g; 20 mmole) was dissolved in dry dichloromethane (30 ml), conc. sulfuric acid (0.2 ml) was added thereto, and isobutene (23.5 g) was introduced into the resultant mixture kept at -60 to -70°C, followed by stirring at room temperature for 3 hours. The reaction mixture was sealed and stirred overnight, and unreacted isobutene was removed therefrom by distillation. The mixture was washed successively with water and a saturated sodium bicarbonate solution, dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate and concentrated under reduced pressure to give methyl (S)-3-t-butoxy-2-methylpropionate. IR (neat): 1735, 1710 (sh), 1450, 1360, 1195, 1080, 1050 (cm⁻¹). NMR δ (CDCl₃): 3.69 (s, 3H), 3.58 [dd (J = 7.25 and 8.6 Hz), 1H], 3.35 [dd (J = 6.2 and 8.6 Hz), 1H], 2.66 (m, 1H), 1.17 (s, 9H), 1.16 [d (J = 7.0 Hz), 3H]. Reference Example 3-1-(4) Methyl (S)-(+)-2-methyl-3-hydroxypropionate (1.18 g; 10 mmole), trityl chloride (3.1 g; 11.13 mmole) and N,N-dimethylaminopyridine (1.34 g; 11 mmole) were dissolved in dry dimethylformamide (10 ml), and the resultant mixture was stirred at room temperature overnight. Methanol (5 ml) was added thereto to decompose the unreacted trityl chloride, and the resultant mixture was stirred for 3 hours. Water (20 ml) was added to the reaction mixture, which was extracted with toluene (20 ml) three times. The extracts were combined together, washed with water, dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate and concentrated under reduced pressure. The residue was purified by silica gel column chromatography to give methyl (S)-3-trityloxy-2-methyl-propionate. IR (neat): 1725, 1450, 1370, 1195, 1080, 705 (cm⁻¹). NMR δ (CDCl₃): 7.43 - 7.22 (m, 15H), 3.70 (s, 3H), 3.28 [dd (J = 7.1 and 8.75 Hz), 1H], 3.17 [dd (J = 5.8 and 8.75 Hz), 1H], 2.73 (m, 1H), 1.15 [d (J = 7.3 Hz), 3H]. Reference Example 3-1-(5) Methyl (S)-(+)-2-methyl-3-hydroxypropionate (1.0 g; 8.47 mmole) and imidazole (1.15 g; 16.9 mmole) were dissolved in dry dimethylformamide (10 ml), t-butyl dimethylchlorosilane (1.30 g; 8.62 mmole) was added thereto, and the resultant mixture was stirred at room temperature overnight. The reaction mixture was diluted with ethyl acetate (60 ml), washed with an aqueous sodium chloride solution (50 ml) three times and dried over anhydrous magnesium sulfate. After removal of the solvent, the residue was purified by silica gel column chromatography to give methyl (S)-3-t-butyldimethylsilyloxy-2-methylpropionate IR (neat): 1740, 1460, 1250, 1195, 1090, 830, 770 (cm⁻¹). NMR δ (CDCl₃): 3.78 [dd (J = 6.9 and 9.6 Hz), 1H], 3.68 (s, 3H), 2.65 (m, 1H), 1.14 [d (J = 6.9 Hz), 3H], 0.87 (s, 9H), 0.04 (s, 3H), 0.01 (s, 3H). Reference Example 3-2-(1) Methyl (S)-3-benzyloxymethyloxy-2-methylpropionate (1.20 g; 5 mmole) was dissolved in methanol (12 ml), and a 1N sodium hydroxide solution (5.5 ml) was added thereto with ice-cooling, followed by stirring at room temperature for overnight. The reaction mixture was diluted with water (30 ml) and washed with ether (20 ml) two times. The aqueous layer was acidified with 6N hydrochloric acid with ice-cooling and extracted with ethyl acetate (30 ml) three times. The extracts were combined together, washed with water and dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate and concentrated under reduced pressure to give (S)-3-benzyloxymethyloxy-2-methylpropionic acid. IR (neat): 1705, 1445, 1370, 1100, 1035 (cm⁻¹). NMR δ (CDCl₃): 7.34 (s, 5H), 4.76 (s, 2H), 4.59 (s, 2H), 3.78 [dd (J = 7.6 and 9.6 Hz), 1H], 3.68 [dd (J = 5.3 and 9.6 Hz), 1H], 2.80 (m, 1H), 1.23 [d (J = 7.25 Hz), 3H]. Reference Examples 3-2-(2) to 3-2-(8) In the same manner as in Reference Example 3-2-(1), the following carboxylic acids were produced from the corresponding methyl esters: Reference Example 3-3-(1) In the same manner as in Reference Example 1-2 but using (S)-3-benzyloxymethyloxy-2-methylpropionic acid (0.69 g; 3.075 mmole), 1,1'-carbonyldiimidazole (0.60 g; 3.675 mmole) and malonic acid monobenzyl ester magnesium salt (1.50 g; 3.675 mmole), there was produced benzyl (S)-3-oxo-4-methyl-5-benzyloxymethoxypentanoate. IR (neat): 1735, 1710,1445, 1035, 735, 690 (cm⁻¹). NMR δ (CDCl₃): 7.35 (s, 5H), 7.32 (s, 5H), 5.17 (s, 2H), 4.68 (s, 2H), 4.54 (s, 2H), 3.72 [dd (J = 7.9 and 9.6 Hz), 1H], 3.61 (s, 2H), 2.96 (m, 1H), 1.10 [d (J = 6.9 Hz), 3H]. Reference Examples 3-3-(2) to 3-3-(8) In the same manner as in Reference Example 3-3-(1), the following beta-keto esters were produced from the corresponding carboxylic acids: Reference Example 3-4-(1) Benzyl (S)-3-oxo-4-methyl-5-benzyloxymethoxypentanoate (140 mg; 0.39 mmole) was dissolved in benzyl alcohol (0.9 ml), and molecular sieve 3A (0.2 g), benzylamine (50 mg; 0.47 mmole) and triethylamine hydrochloride (54 mg; 0.39 mmole) were added thereto, followed by stirring at 80°C for 10 hours. The reaction mixture was diluted with chloroform (10 ml), and after removal of insoluble materials such as molecular sieve by filtration, the filtrate was washed with water. The organic layer was dried over anhydrous magnesium sulfate, followed by removal of the solvent under reduced pressure. Then, benzyl alcohol was removed under reduced pressure, and the residue was dissolved in dry toluene. Gaseous ketene was introduced therein at room temperature. After completion of the reaction, the reaction mixture was concentrated under reduced pressure. The residue was purified by silica gel column chromatography to give benzyl (R)-2-acetyl-3-benzylamino-4-methyl-5-benzyloxymethoxy-2-pentenoate. IR (neat): 1700, 1580, 1448, 1352, 1270 (broad), 1097, 1033 (cm⁻¹). Reference Examples 3-4-(2) to 3-4-(8) In the same manner as in Reference Example 3-4-(1), the following acetylenamines were produced from the corresponding beta-keto esters: Reference Example 3-5 In the same manner as in Reference Example 3-4 but replacing benzylamine by glycine benzyl ester, there was produced benzyl 2-acetyl-3-benzyloxycarbonylmethylamino-4-methyl-5-t-butoxypentenoate. IR (neat): 1747, 1702, 1588, 1450, 1358, 1190 (cm⁻¹). Reference Example 4-1-(1) Dimethyl acetonedicarboxylate (50 g; 0.29 mmole) was dissolved in toluene (150 ml), and benzylamine (32.2 g; 0.3 mmole) was added thereto. The resultant mixture was heated under reflux for 30 minutes while elimination of water and then cooled to room temperature. Gaseous ketene was introduced therein. The precipitated crystals were collected by filtration and recrystallized from ethanol to give dimethyl 2-acetyl-3-benzylamino-2-pentenedioate. M.P., 123.5 - 124.0°C. IR (Nujol): 1718, 1685, 1585, 1365, 1092 (cm⁻¹). Reference Example 4-1-(2) In the same manner as in Reference Example 4-1-(1) but using dimethyl acetonedicarboxylate (10 g; 57.4 mmole) and allylamine (11.5 g; 0.2 mmole), there was produced dimethyl 2-acetyl-3-allylamino-2-pentenedioate. M.P., 91.5 - 92.0°C. IR (Nujol): 1720, 1690, 1592, 1371, 1100 (cm⁻¹). Reference Example 4-2-(1) Under nitrogen stream, 60 % sodium hydride (1.68 g: 42 mmole) was added to dry tetrahydrofuran (10 ml), and a solution of dimethyl 2-acetyl-3-benzylamino-2-pentenedioate (6.2 g; 20 mmole) in dry tetrahydrofuran (40 ml) was portionwise added thereto with ice-cooling, followed by stirring at the same temperature for 15 minutes. Methyl iodide (5.68 g; 40 mmole) was added thereto at room temperature, and the resultant mixture was stirred at room temperature for 1 hour and at 40°C for 1 hour. Water was added to quench the reaction, and the reaction mixture was diluted with ethyl acetate. The organic layer was washed successively with water, dilute hydrochloric acid and an aqueous sodium chloride solution, dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate and concentrated under reduced pressure. The residue was purified by silica gel column chromatography to give dimethyl 2-acetyl-3-benzylamino-4-methyl-2-pentenedioate. IR (neat): 1735, 1698, 1582, 1427, 1256 (cm⁻¹). Reference Example 4-2-(2) In the same manner as in Reference Example 4-2-(1) but using 60 % sodium hydride (0.8 g; 20 mmole), dimethyl 2-acetyl-3-allylamino-2-pentenedioate (2.55 g; 10 mmole) and methyl iodide (2.84 g; 20 mmole), there was produced dimethyl 2-acetyl-3-allylamino-4-methyl-2-pentenedioate. IR (neat): 1739, 1700, 1583, 1431, 1262 (cm⁻¹). Reference Example 5-1 In the same manner as in Reference Example 4-1-(1) but using diethyl acetonedicarboxylate (10.11 g; 50 mmole) and benzylamine (5.57 g; 52 mmole), there was produced diethyl 2-acetyl-3-benzylamino-2-pentenedioate. M.P., 85 - 86°C. Reference Example 5-2 In the same manner as in Reference Example 4-2-(1) but using 60 % sodium hydride (88 mg; 2.2 mmole), diethyl 2-acetyl-3-benzylamino-2-pentenedioate (333 mg; 1 mmole) and methyl iodide (156 mg; 1.1 mmole), there was produced diethyl 2-acetyl-3-benzylamino-4-methyl-2-pentenedioate. IR (neat): 1730, 1696, 1580, 1438, 1257 (cm⁻¹). Reference Example 6-1 Methyl acetoacetate sodium salt (1.24 g; 9 mmole) prepared from methyl acetoacetate and sodium methoxide was suspended in dry toluene (10 ml), and a solution of ethyl 2-chloroformylpropanoate (1.12 g; 6.8 mmole) in dry toluene (5 ml) was dropwise added thereto at room temperature. The resultant mixture was stirred at the same temperature for 1 hour, and insoluble materials were removed by filtration. The filtrate was concentrated at 40°C under reduced pressure, and the residue was purified by silica gel column chromatography to give ethyl 3,5-dioxo-4-methoxycarbonyl-2-methylhexanoate. IR (neat): 1750 (sh), 1730 (sh), 1720, 1570 (broad), 1435 (cm⁻¹). Reference Example 6-2 Ethyl 3,5-dioxo-4-methoxycarbonyl-2-methylhexanoate (176 mg; 0.72 mmole) was dissolved in tetrahydrofuran (1.3 ml), and 1.7N aqueous ammonia (0.85 ml) was added thereto at room temperature. The resultant mixture was allowed to stand at the same temperature overnight, followed by removal of tetrahydrofuran under reduced pressure. The reaction mixture was combined with 1N hydrochloric acid (0.7 ml) and an aqueous sodium chloride solution and extracted with ethyl acetate. The organic layer was dried over anhydrous magnesium sulfate and anhydrous sodium sulfate and concentrated under reduced pressure. The residue was purified by silica gel column chromatography to give methyl 4-ethoxycarbonyl-3-oxopentanoate. IR (neat): 1735, 1720 (sh), 1438, 1322, 1240, 1193 (cm⁻¹). NMR δ (CDCl₃): 1.28 [t (J = 7.1 Hz), 3H], 1.37 [d (J = 7.3 Hz), 3H], 3.63 (m, 2H), 3.74 (s, 3H), 4.20 [q (J = 7.1 Hz), 2H]. Reference Example 6-3 Methyl 4-ethoxycarbonyl-3-oxopentanoate (200 ml; 1.06 mmole) was dissolved in dry methanol (2.5 ml), and benzylamine (386 mg; 3.6 mmole) and molecular sieve 3A (0.3 g) were added thereto. A solution of acetyl chloride (170 mg; 2.17 mmole) in dry methanol (0.9 ml) was added to the resultant mixture, followed by allowing to stand at room temperature for 16 hours. Molecular sieve was removed by filtraton, and the filtrate was diluted with ethyl acetate, washed successively with a saturated sodium bicarbonate solution and water, dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate and concentrated under reduced pressure. The residue was dissolved in toluene (2.5 ml). Gaseous ketene was introduced therein at room temperature. After completion of the reaction, the solvent was removed under reduced pressure, and the residue was purified by silica gel column chromatography to give methyl ethyl 2-acetyl-3-benzylamino-4-methyl-2-pentenedioate. IR (neat): 1727, 1692, 1575, 1428, 1252 (cm⁻¹). NMR δ (CDCl₃): 4.52 (m, 3H), 3.71 (s, 3H), 2.31 (s, 3H), 1.42 [d (J = 7.3 Hz), 3H]. Reference Example 7-1 In the same manner as in Reference Example 1-2 but using ethyl 2-carboxypropionate (3.65 g; 25 mmole), 1,1'-carbonyldiimidazole (4.455 g; 27.5 mmole) and malonic acid monobenzyl ester magnesium salt (11.275 g; 27.5 mmole), there was produced benzyl 4-ethoxycarbonyl-3-oxopentanoate. IR (neat): 1730, 1445, 1370, 1315, 1230, 740, 690 (cm⁻¹). NMR δ (CDCl₃): 7.35 (s, 5H), 5.17 (s, 2H), 4.16 [q (J = 7.0 Hz), 2H], 3.70 [q [J = 7.0 Hz), 1H], 3.67 (s, 2H), 1.35 [d (J = 7.0 Hz), 3H)], 1.24 [t (J = 7.0 Hz), 3H]. Reference Example 7-2-(1) Benzyl 4-ethoxycarbonyl-3-oxopentanoate (695 mg; 2.5 mmole) and benzylamine (535 mg; 5.0 mmole) were dissolved in isopropanol (1.4 ml), and triethylamine hydrochloride (260 mg; 1.875 mmole) and powdery molecular sieve 3A (0.7 g) were added thereto, followed by stirring at 80 to 90°C for 3 to 4 hours. The reaction mixture was cooled to room temperature, and insoluble materials were collected by filtration and washed with ethyl acetate. The filtrate and the washings were combined together, diluted with ethyl acetate (15 ml) and washed with water two times. The organic layer was dried over anhydrous magnesium sulfate, followed by removal of the solvent under reduced pressure. The residue was thoroughly dried under reduced pressure and dissolved in dry methylene chloride (20 ml). Gaseous ketene was introduced therein at room temperature. After completion of the reaction, the reaction mixture was washed successively with an aqueous sodium bicarbonate solution and an aqueous sodium chloride solution, dried over anhydrous magnesium sulfate and concentrated under reduced pressure. The oily residue was purified by silica gel column chromatography to give ethyl benzyl 2-acetyl-3-benzylamino-4-methyl-2-pentenedioate. IR (neat): 1733, 1692, 1578, 1450, 1255, 1120, 1085 (cm⁻¹). NMR δ (CDCl₃): 7.36 (m, 10H), 5.19 (ABq, 2H), 4.48 (m, 2H), 3.94 (m, 1H), 2.26 (s, 3H), 1.42 [d (J = 7.3 Hz), 3H], 1.15 [t (J = 7.3 Hz), 3H]. Reference Example 7-2-(2) In the same manner as in Reference Example 7-2-(1) but using furfurylamine in place of benzylamine, there was produced ethyl benzyl 2-acetyl-3-furfurylamino-4-methyl-2-pentenedioate. IR (neat): 1730, 1690, 1580, 1435, 1248, 1115, 1075 (cm⁻¹). NMR δ (CDCl₃): 7.36 (m, 5H), 6.32 [dd (J = 2.0 and 3.3 Hz), 1H], 6.26 [dd (J = 0.7 and 3.3 Hz), 1H], 5.19 (ABq, 2H), 4.43 (m, 2H), 2.24 (s, 3H), 1.46 [d (J = 6.9 Hz), 3H], 1.20 [t (J = 7.3 Hz), 3H]. Reference Example 7-2-(3) In the same manner as in Reference Example 3-4 but using 2-aminoacetaldehyde dimethyl acetal in place of benzylamine, there was produced ethyl benzyl 2-acetyl-3-dimethoxymethylamino-4-methyl-2-pentenedioate. IR (neat): 1731, 1692, 1580, 1440, 1358, 1243, 1125, 1070 (cm⁻¹). NMR δ (CDCl₃): 7.36 (m, 5H), 5.18 (ABq, 2H), 4.45 [t (J = 5.3 Hz), 1H], 3.42 (s, 6H), 2.24 (s, 3H), 1.42 [d (J = 7.3 Hz), 3H], 1.22 [t (J = 7.3 Hz), 3H]. Reference Example 7-2-(4) (a) Benzyl 4-ethoxycarbonyl-3-oxopentanoate (278 mg; 1.0 mmole) was dissolved in a mixture of isopropanol (0.4 ml) and benzyl alcohol (0.8 ml), and glycine benzyl ester hydrochloride (605 mg; 3.0 mmole), triethylamine (303 mg; 3.0 mmole) and molecular sieve 3A (0.3 g) were added thereto, followed by allowing it to stand for 2 days. Insoluble materials were removed from the reaction mixture by filtration, and the filtrate was washed with chloroform. After removal of the solvent, the oily residue was purified by silica gel column chromatography to give an acetylenamine. (b) The acetylenamine as above obtained was dissolved in dry methylene chloride (1 ml), and gaseous ketene was introduced therein. After completion of the reaction, the solvent was removed under reduced pressure, and the residue was purified by silica gel column chromatography to give ethyl benzyl 2-acetyl-3-benzyloxycarbonylmethylamino-4-methyl-2-pentenedioate. IR (neat): 1750, 1730, 1682, 1580 (broad), 1452, 1230 (broad), 1115, 1042 (cm⁻¹). Reference Example 8 (a) Ethyl benzyl (2SR,3RS,4RS)-2-[1(SR)-hydroxyethyl]-3-furfurylamino-4-pentanedioate (40 mg; 0.1 mmole) was dissolved in ethanol (1 ml), 10 % palladium-carbon (8 mg) was added thereto, and the resultant mixture was subjected to hydrogenation at room temperature under the atmospheric pressure. After completion of the reaction, the catalyst was removed by filtration, and the solvent was distilled off under reduced pressure to give (2SR,3RS,4RS)-2-[1(SR)-hydroxyethyl]-3-furfurylamino-4-ethoxycarbonylpentanoic acid. IR (neat): 1730, 1705 (sh), 1590, 1380, 1195, 1010, 750 (cm⁻¹). (b) The thus obtained (2SR,3RS,4RS)-2-[1(SR)-hydroxyethyl]-3-furfurylamino-4-ethoxycarbonylpentanoic acid (29 mg; 0.1 mmole) was dissolved in dry acetonitrile (2 ml), and after addition of dicyclohexylcarbodiimide (25 mg; 0.12 mmole) at room temperature, the resultant mixture was stirred at 60 to 65°C for 2.5 hours. The reaction mixture was allowed to stand at room temperature, and insoluble dicyclohexylurea was removed by filtration. The filtrate was concentrated under reduced pressur, and the residue was purified by silica gel column chromatography to give (3SR,4SR)-3-[1(SR)-hydroxyethyl]-4-[1-(RS)-ethoxycarbonyl]-ethyl-1-furfuryl-2-azetidinone. IR (CHCl₃): 3450 (broad), 1740, 1375, 1178, 1050, 1012 (cm⁻¹). NMR δ (CDCl₃): 7.37 (m, 1H), 6.33 [dd (J = 2.0 and 3.3 Hz), 1H], 6.27 [dd (J = 0.7 and 3.3 Hz), 1H], 4.42 (ABq, 2H), 4.02 (m, 1H), 3.61 [dd (J = 2.3 and 5.3 Hz), 1H], 3.09 (m, 1H), 2.81 (m, 1H), 2.23 [d (J = 5.0 Hz), 1H], 1.19 - 1.29 (9H). Reference Example 9 In the same manner as in Reference Example 10 but using p-nitrobenzyl (2SR,3RS,4RS)-2-[1(SR)-hydroxyethyl]-3-allylamino-4-methyl-5-phenylthiopentanoate (27 mg; 0.06 mmole), there was produced (3SR,4SR)-3-[1(SR)-hydroxyethyl]-4-[1-(RS)-methyl-2-phenylthio]ethyl-1-benzyl-2-azetidinone. IR (neat): 3425, 1740, 1639, 1439, 1398, 1376, 1275, 927 (cm⁻¹). NMR δ (CDCl₃): 7.34 (m, 5H), 5.70 (m, 1H), 5.21 (m, 2H), 3.55 [dd (J = 2.3 and 5.0 Hz), 1H], 3.43 [dd (J = 7.3 and 16.8 Hz), 1H], 3.04 [dd (J = 4.3 and 12.9 Hz), 1H], 2.87 [dd (J = 1.7 and 6.6 Hz), 1H], 2.65 [dd (J = 8.9 and 12.9 Hz), 1H], 2.00 (m, 1H), 1.31 [d (J = 6.3 Hz), 3H], 1.13 [d (J = 6.9 Hz), 3H]. Reference Example 10-1 (3SR,4SR)-3-[1(SR)-Hydroxyethyl]-4-[1-(RS)-ethoxycarbonyl]ethyl-1-furfuryl-2-azetidinone (30 mg; 0.1 mmole) was dissolved in methanol (0.3 ml), and 0.2 N sodium hydroxide solution (0.5 ml; 0.1 mmole) was dropwise added thereto under ice-cooling. The resultant mixture was stirred at the same temperature for 10 hours. The reaction mixture was diluted with ethyl acetate. The aqueous layer was separated from the organic layer, adjusted to pH 2 with dilute hydrochloric acid and extracted with methyl isobutyl ketone. The extract was washed successively with water and an aqueous sodium chloride solution and dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate. The solvent was removed under reduced pressure to give (3SR,4SR)-3-[1(SR)-hydroxyethyl]-4-[1-(RS)-carboxy]ethyl-1-furfuryl-2-azetidinone. M.P., 125 - 127°C. IR (KBr): 3450, 3370, 1723, 1692 (sh), 1437, 1210 (cm⁻¹). NMR δ (CD₃OD): 4.42 (ABq, 2H), 4.02 (m, 1H), 3.78 [dd (J = 2.3 and 4.6 Hz), 1H], 3.78 (m, 1H), 2.83 (m, 1H), 1.25 [d (J = 6.3 Hz), 3H], 1.16 [d (J = 7.3 Hz), 3H]. Reference Example 10-2 Cinchonidine (20 mg; 0.068 mmole) and 3-(1-hydroxyethyl)-4-(carboxyethyl)-1-furfuryl-2-azetidinone [(3S,4S,1'S,1''R) : (3R,4R,1'R,1''S) : (3S,4S,1'S,1''S) : (3R,4R,1'R,1''R) = 45 : 45 : 5 : 5] (20 mg; 0.075 mmole) were dissolved in a mixture of ethyl acetate (1 ml) and isopropanol (0.1 ml) under heating, and the resultant mixture was allowed to stand at room temperature for 12 hours. The precipitated crystals were collected by filtration to give (3S,4S)-3-[1(S)-hydroxy-ethyl]-4-[1(R)-carboxyethyl]-1-furfuryl-2-azetidinone cinchonidine salt (18.5 mg). M.P., 177.5 - 178.5°C. The thus obtained cinchonidine salt was dissolved in 1N hydrochloric acid and extracted with methyl isobutyl ketone. The extract was washed with an aqueous sodium chloride solution, dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate and concentrated under reduced pressure to give (3S,4S)-3-[1(S)-hydroxyethyl)-4-[I-(R)-carboxyethyl]-1-furfuryl-2-azetidinone (9 mg). The substance was then dissolved in a mixture of benzene (0.4 ml) and methanol (1 ml), and a 10 % hexane solution of trimethylsilyldiazomethane (40 mg; 0.035 mmole) was added thereto, followed by stirring at room temperature for 30 minutes. The solvent was removed under reduced pressure, and the residue was purified by silica gel column chromatography to give a mixture mainly containing (3S,4S)-3-[1(S)-hydroxyethyl]-4-[1-(R)-methoxycarbonyl]-ethyl-1-furfuryl-2-azetidinone. HPLC analyses (column, OA-3000; developing solvent, EDC-hexane-ethanol = 35 : 65 : 4): (3S,4S,1'S,1''R) : (3S,4S,1'S,1''S) : (3R,4R,1'R,1''S) = 88 : 10 : 3. [α] 25 / D = +24.0° (CHCl₃). IR (neat): 3420 (broad), 1745, 1715, 1365, 1193, 1050, 1000 (cm⁻¹). NMR δ (CDCl₃): 7.37 (m, 1H), 6.33 (m, 1H), 6.27 (m, 1H), 4.41 (ABq, 2H), 4.02 (m, 1H), 3.69 (s, 3H), 3.61 [dd (J = 2.3 and 5.3 Hz), 1H], 3.09 (m, 1H), 2.82 (m, 1H), 1.27 [d (J = 6.3 Hz), 3H], 1.21 [d (J = 7.3 Hz), 3H]. Use of quinine in place of cinchonidine can also give optically active (3S,4S)-3-[1(S)-hydroxyethyl]-4-[1(R)-methoxycarbonyl]ethyl-1-furfuryl-2-azetidinone. Reference Example 11-1 Cinchonine (20 mg; 0.068 mmole) and 3-(1-hydroxyethyl)-4-(carboxyethyl)-1-furfuryl-2-azetidinone [(3S,4S,1'R,1''R) : (3R,4R,1'R,1''S) : (3S,4S,1'S,1''S) : (3R,4R,1'R,1''R) = 45 : 45 : 5 : 5] (20 mg; 0.075 mmole) were dissolved in a mixture of ethyl acetate (1 ml) and isopropanol (0.1 ml) under heating, and the resultant mixture was allowed to stand at room temperature for 24 hours. The precipitated crystals were collected by filtration to give (3R,4R)-3-[1(R)-hydroxyethyl]-4-[1(S)-carboxyethyl]-1-furfuryl-2-azetidinone cinchonine salt (17 mg). M.P., 170 - 172°C. The thus obtained cinchonine salt was treated in the same manner as in Reference Example 10-2 to give a mixture mainly containing (3R,4R)-3-[1(R)-hydroxyethyl]-4-[1(S)-carboxyethyl]-1-furfuryl-2-azetidinone. HPLC analysis (column, OA-3000; developing solvent, EDC-hexane-ethanol = 35 : 65 : 4): (3S,4S,1'S,1''R) : (3R,4R,1'R,1''S) : (3R,4R,1'R,1''R) = 6.5 : 93 : 0.5. [α] 25 / D = -26.4° (CHCl₃) The IR and NMR data of this product were identical to those of the product as obtained in Reference Example 10-2. Reference Example 12 (a) Under nitrogen stream, (3SR,4SR)-3-[1(SR)-hydroxyethyl]-4-[1(RS)-ethoxycarbonyl]ethyl-1-furfuryl-2-azetidinone (30 mg; 0.1 mmole) was dissolved in dry tetrahydrofuran (0.3 ml), and triphenylphosphine (31 mg; 0.12 mmole) and 96 - 100 % formic acid (7 mg; 0.15 mmole) were successively added thereto with ice-cooling, followed by stirring at the same temperature for 5 minutes. Diethyl azodicarboxylate (23 mg; 0.13 mmole) was further added, and the temperature was raised to room temperature, and the resultant mixture was stirred for 21 hours. The solvent was removed by distillation under reduced pressure, and the residue was purified by silica gel column chromatography to give (3SR,4SR)-3-[1(RS)-formyloxyethyl]-4-[1(RS)-ethoxycarbonyl]ethyl-1-furfuryl-2-azetidinone. IR (CHCl₃) : 3325, 1738 (sh), 1720, 1395, 1205 (broad), 1170 (cm⁻¹). NMR δ (CDCl₃) : 7.97 (s, 1H), 7.38 (m, 1H), 6.34 [dd (J = 2.0 and 3.3 Hz), 1H], 6.26 [d (J = 3.3 Hz), 1H], 5.28 (m, 1H), 4.42 (ABq, 2H), 4.16 [q (J = 7.3 Hz), 2H], 3.63 [dd (J = 2.0 and 4.6 Hz), 1H], 3.28 [dd (J = 2.0 and 7.3 Hz), 1H], 2.85 (m, 1H), 1.38 [d (J = 6.3 Hz), 3H], 1.26 [t (J = 7.3 Hz), 3H], 1.18 [d (J = 7.3 Hz), 3H]. (b) The thus obtained (3SR,4SR)-3-[1(RS)-formyloxyethyl]-4-[1(RS)-ethoxycarbonyl]ethyl-1-furfuryl-2-azetidinone (9.0 mg; 0.029 mmole) was dissolved in methanol (0.2 ml), and anhydrous sodium acetate (12 mg; 0.15 mmole) was added thereto at room temperature, followed by stirring at the same temperature for 2 hours. The reaction mixture was concentrated under reduced pressure, diluted with ethyl acetate and washed succesively with water and an aqueous sodium chloride solution. The organic layer was dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate and concentrated under reduced pressure to give (3SR,4SR)-3-[1(RS)-hydroxyethyl]-4-[1(RS)-ethoxycarbonyl]ethyl-1-furfuryl-2-azetidinone. IR (CHCl₃): 3450, 1732, 1370, 1178, 1050, 1005 (cm⁻¹). NMR δ (CDCl₃): 7.37 (m, 1H), 6.33 [dd (J = 2.0 and 3.3 Hz), 1H], 6.26 [d (J = 3.3 Hz), 1H], 4.43 (ABq, 2H), 4.15 [q (J = 7.3 Hz), 2H], 3.72 [dd (J = 2.0 and 5.6 Hz), 1H], 3.05 [dd (J = 1.3 and 6.3 Hz), 1H], 2.82 (m, 1H), 2.32 (broad s, 1H), 1.21 - 1.30 (9H).

Claims: A beta-lactam compound of the formula: wherein R is a C₁-C₈ alkyl group, R₂ is an allyl group of the formula: (wherein R₃ and R₄ are each a hydrogen atom, a C₁-C₈ alkyl group or an aryl group), a beta-hydroxyethyl group in which the hydroxyl group is optionally protected, a formylmethyl group in which the formyl group is optionally protected or a 2-furylmethyl group and X is an optionally protected carboxyl group, a hydroxymethyl group in which the hydroxyl group is optionally protected or a substituted mercaptomethyl group of the formula: -CH₂SR₅ (wherein R₅ is an aryl group or an ar(C₁-C₈)alkyl group). The beta-lactam compound according to claim 1, wherein R is methyl. The beta-lactam compound according to claim 1, wherein R is methyl and R₂ is 2-furylmethyl. An acetylenamine compound of the formula: wherein R, R₂ and X are each as defined above, and R₁ is a hydrogen atom or a protecting group for carboxyl. The acetylenamine compound according to claim 4, wherein R is methyl. The acetylenamine compound according to claim 4, wherein R₂ is 2-furylmethyl, 2-propenyl or 2,2-dimethoxyethyl. The acetylenamine compound according to claim 6, wherein R is methyl. A process for preparing an acetylenamine compound of the formula (II) as defined in claim 4, which comprises reacting an acetylenamine compound of the formula: wherein R₁, R₂ and X are each as defined above with an alkylating agent in an inert solvent in the presence of a base. The process according to claim 8, wherein R is methyl. A process for preparing an acetylenamine compound of the formula (II) as defined in claim 4, which comprises reacting an enamine compound of the formula: wherein R, R₁, R₂ and X are each as defined above with an acetylating agent in an inert solvent. The process according to claim 10, wherein R is methyl. A process for preparing the (3S,4S) isomer or the (3R,4R) isomer of a beta-lactam compound of the formula: wherein R and R₂ are each as defined above, and R₆ is a hydrogen atom or a protecting group for hydroxyl, which comprises reacting an enamine compound of the formula: wherein R, R₁, R₂ and X are each as defined above with an acetylating agent in an inert solvent to give an acetylenamine compound of the formula: wherein R, R₁, R₂ and X are each as defined above, subjecting it to reduction to give an amino acid compound of the formula: wherein R, R₁, R₂ and X are each as defined above, subjecting it to removal of the carboxyl-protecting group (R₁) to give an amino acid compound of the formula: wherein R, R₂ and X are each as defined above, subjecting it to dehydrative ring closure to give a beta-lactam compound of the formula: wherein R, R₂ and X are each as defined above, subjecting it to removal of the protecting group, optionally followed by protection of the hydroxyl group to give a carboxylic acid compound of the formula: wherein R, R₂ and R₆ are each as defined above and subjecting it to reaction with an optically active amine, followed by fractional crystallization and decomposition of the obtained amine salt. A process for preparing a beta-lactam compound of the formula: wherein R and R₂ are each as defined above, and R '' / 1 is a protecting group for carboxyl, which comprises subjecting an acetylenamine compound of the formula: wherein R₁ and R₂ are each as defined above, and R ' / 1 is a protecting group for carboxyl to reaction with an alkylating agent in an inert solvent in the presence of a base to give an acetylenamine compound of the formula: wherein R, R₁, R₂ and R ' / 1 are each as defined above, subjecting it to reduction to give an amino acid compound of the formula: wherein R, R₁, R₂ and R ' / 1 are each as defined above, subjecting it to treatment with an acid in an inert solvent to give a lactone of the formula: wherein R, R₁ and R₂ are each as defined above, subjecting it to selective hydrolysis with an alkali to give an amino acid compound of the formula: wherein R, R₁ and R₂ are each as defined above, subjecting it to protection of the carboxyl group to give the carboxyl group-protected compound, subjecting it to removal of the protecting group R₁ to give an amino acid compound of the formula: wherein R, R₂ and R '' / 1 are each as defined above, and subjecting it to dehydrative ring closure.

Inventors: MATSUMURA HARUKI SUMITOMO PHAR, NOZAKI YOSHIHITO SUMITOMO PHAR, SASAKI AKIRA SUMITOMO PHARMACE, SUNAGAWA MAKOTO SUMITOMO PHARM, MATSUMURA, HARUKI SUMITOMO PHARMACEUTICALS CO.,LTD, NOZAKI, YOSHIHITO SUMITOMO PHARMACEUTICALS CO.,LTD, SASAKI, AKIRA SUMITOMO PHARMACEUTICALS CO.,LTD., SUNAGAWA, MAKOTO SUMITOMO PHARMACEUTICALS CO.,LTD.
Applicants: SUMITOMO PHARMA, SUMITOMO PHARMACEUTICALS COMPANY, LIMITED
Application year: 1986
Main classification: C07C229
IPC codes: C07C319, C07D405, C07C323, C07C239, C07C229, C07D205, C07C313, C07D309, C07D477, C07C271, C07C67, C07D307