Asymmetric synthesis of BB-3497--a potent peptide deformylase inhibitor

By screening a library of metalloenzyme inhibitors, the N-formyl-hydroxylamine derivative BB-3497 was identified as a potent inhibitor of Escherichia coli peptide deformylase with antibacterial activity both in vitro and in vivo. The homochiral synthesis of BB-3497, involving a novel asymmetric Michael addition reaction is described.