A method of preparing intermediates for carbapenem antibiotics characterized by treating a N-deprotected acetoxy conpound of the formula: ##STR1## in the presence of a Lewis acid or a silylating agent to yeild an intermediate; and cyclizing the intermediate in the presence of rhodium (II) acetate to form a bicyclic ketoester.
RELATED APPLICATION
This is a continuation, of application Ser. No. 07/825,797, filed Jan. 21, 1992 abandoned, which is a continuation, of application Ser. No. 07/744,664, filed Aug. 9, 1991, abandoned, which is a continuation, of application Ser. No. 559,807, filed Jul. 30, 1990, now abandoned, which is a division of Ser. No. 463,020, filed Jan. 10, 1990, now abandoned, which is a continuation of Ser. No. 355,858, filed May 18, 1989, now abandoned, which is a continuation of Ser. No. 245,996, filed Sep. 14, 1988, now abandoned, which is a continuation of Ser. No. 212,107, filed Jun. 21, 1988, now abandoned, which is a division of Ser. No. 124,135, filed Nov. 23, 1987, now abandoned, which is a division of Ser. No. 065,189, filed Jun. 22, 1987, now abandoned, which is a continuation of Ser. No. 008,049, filed Jan. 15, 1987, now abandoned, which is a continuation of Ser. No. 872,715, filed Jun. 10, 1986, now abandoned, which is a continuation of Ser. No. 388,373. filed Jun. 14, 1982, now abandoned, which is a cont-in-part of Ser. No. 367,532 filed Apr. 12, 1982, now abandoned, which is a continuation-in-part of Ser. No. 314,152 filed Oct. 23, 1981, now abandoned.
