Synthesis and In Vitro Antibacterial Activity of 7‐(3‐Alkoxyimino‐4‐methyl‐4‐methylaminopiperidin‐1‐yl)‐fluoroquinolone Derivatives

A series of novel 7‐(3‐alkoxyimino‐4‐methyl‐4‐methylaminopiperidin‐1‐yl)fluoroquinolone derivatives were designed, synthesized, and characterized by ¹H‐NMR, MS, and HRMS. These fluoroquinolones were evaluated for their in‐vitro antibacterial activity against representative Gram‐positive and Gram‐negative strains. Generally, all of the target compounds have considerable antibacterial activity against the tested forty strains, and exhibit exceptional potency in inhibiting the growth of methicillin‐sensitive Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA) and methicillin‐resistant S. aureus (MRSA) ATCC33591 (MICs: 0.06 to 2 μg/mL). In particular, compounds 14 , 19 , 28 , and 29 are fourfold more potent than ciprofloxacin against MSSA 08‐49. Compounds 23 , 26 , and 27 are twofold more potent than ciprofloxacin against MRSA ATCC33591 and MSSA ATCC29213. In addition, compound 14 exhibits excellent activity (MIC: 0.06 μg/mL) against Acinetobactes calcoaceticus, which is two‐ to 16‐fold more potent than the reference drugs gemifloxacin, levofloxacin, and ciprofloxacin.