Process for intermediates to 1-carbapenems and 1-carbacephems

A stereoselective process for chiral intermediates to 1-carbapenem and 1-carbacephalosporins is provided comprising the use of an N-acyl-(4R)-substituted-1,3-thiazolidine-2-thione as a chiral auxiliary in boron enolate mediated aldol condensation with a protected-.beta.-keto ester aldehyde. E.g., benzyl 3,3-(ethylenedioxy)-4-formylbutyrate is condensed with the boron enolate formed with n-butyryl (4R)-methoxycarbonyl-1,3-thiazolidine-2-thione to provide benzyl 3,3-ethylenedioxy-(5R)-hydroxy-6-[(4R)-methoxycarbonyl-1,3-thiazolidine-2- thione-3-ylcarbonyl]octanoate. Displacement of the thiazolidine-2-thione chiral auxiliary moiety with an O-alkyl, O-acyl or O-aralkyl hydroxyamine provides the corresponding chiral intermediate as the hydroxamate.