Derivatives of tetrodecamycin.

The derivatives of tetrodecamycin (1), being introduced acyl, carbamoyl and alkyl groups at 14-hydroxyl group and modified at exo-methylene group, were synthesized and evaluated on their antibacterial activities. Although 14-O-substituted tetrodecamycins (3 approximately 19) showed weak activity against Pasteurella piscicida, they were more active against Gram-positive bacteria than 1. Among them, 15 showed approximately 10-fold higher activity than 1. The derivatives (20 approximately 23) modified at 4 or 5 positions had moderate antibacterial activity. The absolute structure of 4(R),5-dibromotetrodecamycin (23) was determined by X-ray crystallographic analysis.