Synthesis and antibacterial activity of some derivatives of tolypomycinone. Relationship between structure and activity in ansamycins.

3-Aminotolypomycinoes and 3,16-diamino-16,17-dihydrotolypomycinones are formed by the addition of primary and secondary amines to tolypomycinone, obtained by mild hydrolysis of the antibiotic tolypomycin Y.3-Amino-16,17-dihydrotolypomycinones are formed by the addition of primary and secondary amines to 16,17-dihydrotolypomycinone. In vitro microbiological tests showed high antibacterial activity in compounds obtained by the addition of primary amines, which must be unbranched in the alpha position to the nitrogen atom to position 3 of the naphthoquinone ring. The relationship between structure and activity is described, and evidence is presented that hydrogen bonding between the amino NH bonded to C3 and the amide CO of tolypomycinone is very important for biological activity.