First iodocyclization reaction of allene–thioureas: an efficient approach to bicyclic β-lactams

The regioselective iodocyclization reaction of allene–thioureas is described, for the first time, for the synthesis of bicyclic β-lactams. The substitution at the allenyl part heavily influenced the iodocyclization reaction. The iodocyclization reaction of the unsubstituted allene–thioureas afforded six-membered 3-thia-1-dethiacephems whereas, the substituted allene–thiourea afforded seven-membered thiazepines along with five-membered isopenams.