Abstract: The reaction of lithium ester enolates with N-(cyanomethy1) amines affords 4- unsubstituted p-lactams in good yields, see eq 1. The N-1 substituent can be varied widely, as can the C-3 substituents, which can be H, alkyl, SPh, NH2, or NHCOR. The preparation of 3-amino-substituted p-lactams (8-10, 12, 14-17) in one step from N-(cyanomethy1) amines and esters of a-amino acids is a particularly significant feature of this new P-lactam ...