Synthesis and structure-activity relationships of 7 beta-[(Z)-2-(2- aminothiazol-4-yl)-3-(substituted)-2-propenoyl-amino]-3- desacetoxymethylcephalosporins.

Synthesis and biological activity of a series of 7 beta-[(Z)-2-(2- aminothiazol-4-yl)-3-(substituted)-2-propenoylamino]-3-cephe m-4-carboxylic acids and their pivaloyloxymethyl esters are described. These acid compounds exhibited potent antibacterial activity against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. Pivaloyloxymethyl esters of selected compounds in this series were found to be well absorbed from small intestine in mice.