The synthesis, antibacterial, and beta-lactamase inhibitory activity of a novel asparenomycin analog.

An analog, 6-(2'-hydroxyethylidene)-4 beta-methyl-1-azabicyclo[3.2.0]hept-2-ene-2- carboxylate (11), of the carbapenem beta-lactamase inhibitor, asparenomycin A, was synthesized. It possessed a spectrum of antibacterial activity that was comparable to that of asparenomycin A but was less effective as a beta-lactamase inhibitor. With ampicillin, it only exhibited a moderate level of synergy against a variety of beta-lactamase-producing organisms. Although the presence of a 4 beta-methyl group in the analog brought about a significant increase in chemical stability relative to that of asparenomycin A, it did not result in an increase in stability to kidney dehydropeptidase enzyme.