Abstract Efficient conversion of Schiff bases and carboxylic acids to β-lactams can be carried out at room temperature in CH 2 Cl 2, using a cyanuric chloride-N, N-dimethyl formamide complex. The complex is easily prepared by reaction of cyanuric chloride and DMF, an inexpensive reagent, at room temperature. Optimization of conditions and comparison of yield with cyanuric chloride were performed.