Beta-lactams in the new millennium. Part-I: monobactams and carbapenems.

Beta-lactam ring-containing compounds such as penicillins, ampicillin, amoxicillin, cephalosporins and carbapenem are among the most famous antibiotics. This article reviews the recent developments in the study of such compounds. The introductory paragraph, which highlights the significance of the subject and cites most of the leading references of the previous century, is followed by an overview of beta-lactams and some novel methodologies for the synthesis of bi-, tri- and polycyclic derivatives. The rest of the sections deal with design, synthesis and biological activity of monobactams and carbapenems. Many of them have potential antibacterial activity, even against some resistant strains, and enzyme inhibitory activity.