Novel rifamycins. I-Synthesis and antibacterial activity of 3-hydrazinorifamycin derivatives.

A number of semisynthetic rifamycin derivatives, modified at position 3, belonging to general structures (II), (III), (IV), (V), (VI), (VII) and (VIII) (see Scheme), have been prepared. The synthesis, structure, and antimicrobial evaluation of the new compounds are described. All the derivatives have in vitro antibacterial activities comparable with that of rifampicin.