Studies on cephalosporin antibiotics. I. Synthesis, antibacterial activity and oral absorption of new 3-(O-substituted)-7 beta-[D-alpha-amino-alpha-(4-hydroxyphenyl)acetamido]cephalosporins

The synthesis, antibacterial activity and oral absorption of new 7 beta-[D-alpha-amino-alpha-(4-hydroxyphenyl)acetamido]cephalosporins (1) with various O-substituents at the C-3 position of a cephalosporin nucleus are described. Of these, the cephalosporins (1b-1e) having an alkoxycarbonylmethoxy group at the C-3 position showed good oral absorption in rats as well as potent activity against Gram-positive bacteria. The structure-activity relationships of 1 are also presented.