Quinolone antimicrobial agents. 1. Versatile new synthesis of 1-alkyl-1,4-dihydro-4-oxo-3-quinolinecarboxylic acids.

A flexible reaction sequence has been developed which starts with readily available anthranilic acids or isatoic anhydrides and leads regiospecifically to 1-alkyl-1,4-dihydro-4-oxo-3-quinolinecarboxylic acids after reaction with 1,3-dicarbonyl compounds. The sequence is superior to earlier published methods by allowing electron-releasing and -withdrawing groups in any position on the aro;atic ring, by allowing convenient substitution at C2, and better overall yield. A number of new and known antimicrobial agents were prepared and tested in vitro, demonstrating, inter alia, that substitution of the H at C2 abolished antibacterial activity.