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The essential oil isolated by steam distillation from the aerial parts of Lomatopodium staurophyllum (Rech. f.) Rech. f. was analyzed by capillary GC and GC/MS. Among the 15 compounds identified, the major components were (E)-β-ocimene (26.8%), myrcene (26.3%), (Z)-β-ocimene (17.7%), β-caryophyllene (4.6%) and limonene (4.6%).

A safe and convenient method is described for the synthesis of α-amido-β-lactams starting with glycine and an azomethine. The amino group of glycine is protected by reaction with a β-dicarbonyl compound following the method of Dane et al. and the carboxyl group is activated through the formation of a mixed anhydride or an active ester. Condensation between these glycine derivatives and acyclic or cyclic imino compounds (including thioimidates) in presence of triethylamine leads to stereospecific synthesis of 3-(β-carbonyl-vinylamino)-2-azetidinones in 40–60% yield. The vinylamino side chain can be hydrolyzed under mild acid conditions to form 3-amino-2-azetidinones which can be acylated to α-amido-β-lactams. Alternatively, the vinylamino side chain can be converted to an amido side chain by ozonolysis. The molecular parameters of a 3-(β-carbonyl-vinylamino)-2-azetidinone were determined by X-ray crystallography. Usefulness of this α-amido-β-lactam synthesis is illustrated by the preparation of isotopelabeled β-lactams and intermediates for some β-lactam antibiotics.