(3S,4S)-3[(R)-1-(t-Butyldimethylsilyloxy)ethyl]-4-[(R)-1-carboxyethyl]-2-azetidinone was prepared from (3R,4R)-4-acetoxy-3-[(R)-1-t-butyldimethylsilyloxy)ethyl]-2-azetidinone via a sequence involving coupling with 2,2,5-trimethyl-1,3-dioxan-4,6-dione , N-silylation, solvolysis of the methylmeldrum's acid moiety and a stereoselective acid catalyzed decarboxylation. ... An important β-methyl carbapenem intermediate was prepared from 4-acetoxyazetidinone and methylmeldrum's acid. The ...