Synthesis and structure-activity relationships of 1β-methylcarbapenems with quaternary ammonium side chains

Article abstract of DOI:10.7164/antibiotics.51.757

The synthesis and antibacterial activity of 1β-methylcarbapenems with quaternary ammonium groups at the C-2 position have been studied. Two types of new carbapenem derivatives have been synthesized. These 1β-methylcarbapenems, one type having a (2S,4S)-2-[1,1-dimethyl-2-(1-piperazinyl)carbonyl]pyrrolidinio-4-ylthio group and the other type having a (2S,4S)-2-(4-carbamoylmethyl-4-methylhomopiperazinio-1-ylcarbon-yl)pyrrolidin-4 -ylthio group, show potent and well balanced antibacterial activity as well as high stability against dehydropeptidase-I. The in vivo potency of these two carbapenems was compared with that of meropenem. The structure-activity relationships leading to these carbapenems are also described.