Synthesis and antibacterial activity of a series of novel 9-O-acetyl- 4'-substituted 16-membered macrolides derived from josamycin.

A series of novel 9-O-acetyl-4'-substituted 16-membered macrolides derived from josamycin has been designed and synthesized by cleavage of the mycarose of josamycin and subsequent modification of the 4'-hydroxyl group. These derivatives were evaluated for their in vitro antibacterial activities against a panel of Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermidis. 15 (4'-O-(3-Phenylpropanoyl)-9-O-acetyl-desmycarosyl josamycin) and 16 (4'-O-butanoyl-9-O-acetyl-desmycarosyl josamycin) exhibited comparable activities to josamycin against S. aureus (MSSA) and S. epidermidis (MSSE).