Resolution of 4-oxoazetidin-2-yl benzoate by inclusion crystallization with an optically active host compound

4-Oxoazetidin-2-yl benzoate was resolved efficiently by an inclusion complexation with a chiral host compound, (R,R)-(−)-trans-4,5-bis(hydroxydiphenylmethyl)-1,4-dioxaspiro[4.5]decane. The phenyl substituent on the β-lactam ring was found to play an important role in an efficient chiral recognition in the inclusion crystals.