Beecham Group Plc

Beecham Group Limited of Beecham House

Kong Luk

Norman H Rogers

John P Clayton

Esters of an acid of formula: ##STR1## which is termed 'monic acid' have activity against Gram-positive and Gram-negative organisms.

Antibacterial compounds

The present invention provides a process for the preparation of a fused bicyclic .beta.-lactam containing compound having an optionally salified free carboxylic acid group which process comprises the reaction of an ester of the formula (I): ##STR1## with halide ion; wherein R is the residue of the fused bicyclic .beta.-lactam containing compound, R.sup.1 is an alkyl group of 1-6 carbon atoms optionally substituted by an alkoxy group of 1-4 carbon atoms or is an optionally substituted phenyl group or an alkyl group of 1-4 carbon atoms substituted by an optionally substituted phenyl group; and R.sup.2 is a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group of 1-4 carbon atoms or is joined to R.sup.2 to form part of a 5- or 6- membered carbocyclic or heterocyclic ring.

Process for the preparation of .beta.-lactam antibiotics

Compounds of formula (II): ##STR1## in which R represents a pharmaceutically acceptable ester-forming radical have antibacterial and antimycoplasmal activity. These compounds are produced by photo-oxidation of the corresponding 13-hydroxy compounds, optionally after having protected the glycol moiety.

13-Oxo-monic acid esters useful as antibacterial and antimycoplasmal

Esters of monic and isomonic acids

Compounds of the formula (II): ##STR1## wherein R is hydrogen, is useful for its antibacterial activity and as a synergist for penicillins and cephalosporins.

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Cranleigh, United Kingdom

Kong Luk