Synthesis and antimicrobial activity of 1,4-diaryl-2-azetidinones.

Cycloaddition of substituted 4,4-benzylidene-anilines to in situ prepared dichloroketenes in the presence of dichloroacetyl chloride and triethylamine affords a variety of 2-azetidinones. All the compounds were characterized by IR and 1H NMR. Their antimicrobial activity, against Gram(+) and Gram(-) bacteria and fungi, was tested.