L-Menthyl 2,2-Dihydroxyacetate

L-Menthyl 2,2-Dihydroxyacetate is used as a reagent in the synthesis of Lamivudine (L172500); a potent nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor used for the treatment of chronic hepatitis B. L-Menthyl 2,2-Dihydroxyacetate is also used as a reagent in the synthesis of 4-acetoxy-3-hydroxyethylazetidin-2-one, a key intermediate for the preparation of penem and carbapenem antibiotics.