Discovery of a novel series of semisynthetic vancomycin derivatives effective against vancomycin-resistant bacteria.

Novel semisynthetic vancomycin derivatives with antibacterial activity against vancomycin-resistant S. aureus (VRSA) were prepared. Replacement of Cl groups of vancomycin by Suzuki-Miyaura cross-coupling reaction, which gave the title compounds, is described for the first time. Introduction of a carbon substituent at the amino acid residue 2 of vancomycin led to an enhancement of antibacterial activity against vancomycin-resistant strains, whereas the additional introduction at the amino acid residue 6 resulted in a reduction in activity even against vancomycin-susceptible strains.