Epithienamycins. II. Isolation and structure assignment.

At least six distinct beta-lactam antibiotics of the epithienamycin family are produced by a strain of Streptomyces flavogriseus MB 4638. Each of the six can be isolated in substantially pure form by column chromatography using Dowex 1, Amberlite XAD-2 and Biogel packings. The structures were established by comparison of the ultraviolet, proton magnetic resonance and mass spectral characteristics with those of thienamycin and its derivatives. All six compounds contain the carbapenem ring system which is also found in thienamycin. They differ from each other and from thienamycin by chemical modifications and/or stereoisomerism. Enzymatically deacetylated epithienamycin A has the properties of an isomer of thienamycin.