| abstract |
2-[(2-Aminoethyl)thio]-6-(1- hydroxyethyl)penem-3-carboxylic acid, its salts and esters are valuable antibiotics effective against a wide range of Gram-positive and Gram- negative bacteria, even including bacteria of the genus Pseudomonas. These compounds may be prepared by the heat-induced cyclization of a phosphorus-ylide compound followed, if necessary, by removal of protecting groups and salification or esterification. The compounds exist as a variety of stereoisomers, of which (5R, 6S)-2-[(2-aminoethyl)thio]-6- [(R)-1-hydroxyethyl]penem-3- carboxylic acid and its salts and esters are preferred. |