Reactions that directly install nitrogen into CH bonds of complex molecules are significant because of their potential to change the chemical and biological properties of a given compound. Selective intramolecular CH amination reactions that achieve high levels of reactivity, while maintaining excellent site-selectivity and functional-group tolerance is a challenging problem. Herein is reported a manganese perchlorophthalocyanine catalyst [Mn.sup.III(ClPc)] for intermolecular benzylic CH amination of bioactive molecules and natural products that proceeds with unprecedented levels of reactivity and site-selectivity. In the presence of Brnsted or Lewis acid, the [Mn.sup.III(ClPc)]-catalyzed CH amination demonstrates unique tolerance for tertiary amine, pyridine and benzimidazole functionalities. Mechanistic studies indicate that CH amination proceeds through an electrophilic metallonitrene intermediate via a stepwise pathway where CH cleavage is the rate-determining step of the reaction. Collectively these mechanistic features contrast previous base-metal catalyzed CH aminations. The catalyst can be a compound of Formula I: ##STR00001##

Reactions that directly install nitrogen into CH bonds of complex molecules are significant because of their potential to change the chemical and biological properties of a given compound. Selective intramolecular CH amination reactions that achieve high levels of reactivity, while maintaining excellent site-selectivity and functional-group tolerance is a challenging problem. Herein is reported a manganese perchlorophthalocyanine catalyst [Mn.sup.III(ClPc)] for intermolecular benzylic CH amination of bioactive molecules and natural products that proceeds with unprecedented levels of reactivity and site-selectivity. In the presence of Brnsted or Lewis acid, the [Mn.sup.III(ClPc)]-catalyzed CH amination demonstrates unique tolerance for tertiary amine, pyridine and benzimidazole functionalities. Mechanistic studies indicate that CH amination proceeds through an electrophilic metallonitrene intermediate via a stepwise pathway where CH cleavage is the rate-determining step of the reaction. Collectively these mechanistic features contrast previous base-metal catalyzed CH aminations. The catalyst can be a compound of Formula I: ##STR00001##

A synthesis process of precursors of derivatives of beta-lactam compounds, said beta-lactam compounds being selected from 6-aminopenicillanic acid and 7-aminocephalosporanic acid, preferably 6-aminopenicillanic acid, comprising the following steps: a) protection of the amine group of the beta-lactam compound, selected from 6-aminopenicillanic acid and 7-aminocephalosporanic acid, preferably 6-aminopenicillanic acid, through the formation of a carbamate by reaction with a dicarbonate; b) esterification of the carboxyl group in position 2 of the beta-lactam compound obtained in step a) by reaction with propargyl alcohol.

A synthesis process of precursors of derivatives of beta-lactam compounds, said beta-lactam compounds being selected from 6-aminopenicillanic acid and 7-aminocephalosporanic acid, preferably 6-aminopenicillanic acid, comprising the following steps: a) protection of the amine group of the beta-lactam compound, selected from 6-aminopenicillanic acid and 7-aminocephalosporanic acid, preferably 6-aminopenicillanic acid, through the formation of a carbamate by reaction with a dicarbonate; b) esterification of the carboxyl group in position 2 of the beta-lactam compound obtained in step a) by reaction with propargyl alcohol.

Reactions that directly install nitrogen into CH bonds of complex molecules are significant because of their potential to change the chemical and biological properties of a given compound. Selective intramolecular CH amination reactions that achieve high levels of reactivity, while maintaining excellent site-selectivity and functional-group tolerance is a challenging problem. Herein is reported a manganese perchlorophthalocyanine catalyst [Mn.sup.III(ClPc)] for intermolecular benzylic CH amination of bioactive molecules and natural products that proceeds with unprecedented levels of reactivity and site-selectivity. In the presence of Brnsted or Lewis acid, the [Mn.sup.III(ClPc)]-catalyzed CH amination demonstrates unique tolerance for tertiary amine, pyridine and benzimidazole functionalities. Mechanistic studies indicate that CH amination proceeds through an electrophilic metallonitrene intermediate via a stepwise pathway where CH cleavage is the rate-determining step of the reaction. Collectively these mechanistic features contrast previous base-metal catalyzed CH aminations.

Reactions that directly install nitrogen into CH bonds of complex molecules are significant because of their potential to change the chemical and biological properties of a given compound. Selective intramolecular CH amination reactions that achieve high levels of reactivity, while maintaining excellent site-selectivity and functional-group tolerance is a challenging problem. Herein is reported a manganese perchlorophthalocyanine catalyst [Mn.sup.III(ClPc)] for intermolecular benzylic CH amination of bioactive molecules and natural products that proceeds with unprecedented levels of reactivity and site-selectivity. In the presence of Brnsted or Lewis acid, the [Mn.sup.III(ClPc)]-catalyzed CH amination demonstrates unique tolerance for tertiary amine, pyridine and benzimidazole functionalities. Mechanistic studies indicate that CH amination proceeds through an electrophilic metallonitrene intermediate via a stepwise pathway where CH cleavage is the rate-determining step of the reaction. Collectively these mechanistic features contrast previous base-metal catalyzed CH aminations.

A synthesis process of precursors of derivatives of beta-lactam compounds, said beta-lactam compounds being selected from 6-aminopenicillanic acid and 7-aminocephalosporanic acid, preferably 6-aminopenicillanic acid, comprising the following steps: a) protection of the amine group of the beta-lactam compound, selected from 6-aminopenicillanic acid and 7-aminocephalosporanic acid, preferably 6-aminopenicillanic acid, through the formation of a carbamate by reaction with a dicarbonate; b) esterification of the carboxyl group in position 2 of the beta-lactam compound obtained in step a) by reaction with propargyl alcohol.

A synthesis process of precursors of derivatives of beta-lactam compounds, said beta-lactam compounds being selected from 6-aminopenicillanic acid and 7-aminocephalosporanic acid, preferably 6-aminopenicillanic acid, comprising the following steps: a) protection of the amine group of the beta-lactam compound, selected from 6-aminopenicillanic acid and 7-aminocephalosporanic acid, preferably 6-aminopenicillanic acid, through the formation of a carbamate by reaction with a dicarbonate; b) esterification of the carboxyl group in position 2 of the beta-lactam compound obtained in step a) by reaction with propargyl alcohol.