| abstract |
ephalosporin compounds having a 3-position substituent of the formula (I) are described:n wherein Y is a linking group -NR 4 CO-Y'-, -NR 4 SOrY'-, -OCO-Y;-or -SCO-Y'-wherein R 4 is hydrogen, various optionally substituted alkyl groups or alkenyl and Y' is a bond or various optionally substituted alkylene or alkenylene groups; and Q is a benzene ring (optionally fused to a further benzene ring so forming a naphthyl group or optionally fused to a 5 or 6 membered heterocyclic aromatic group containing 1, 2 or 3 heteroatoms selected from nitrogen, oxygen and sulphur), said benzene ring (or in the case of naphthyl either benzene ring) being substituted by groups R 1 and R 2 which are ortho with respect to one another, wherein R' is hydroxy or an in vivo hydrolysable ester thereof and R 2 is hydroxy, an in vivo hydrolysable ester thereof, carboxy, sulpho, hydroxymethyl, methanesulphonamido or ureido; or Q is a group of the formula (II) or (III):n n wherein M is oxygen or a group NR 3 wherein R 3 is hydrogen or C 1-4 alkyl; ring Q being further optionally substituted. n The use of such compounds as antibacterial agents is described as are processes for their preparation and intermediates therefor. |