Synthesis and biological activity of novel 3-(2-propenyl)-cephalosporins. I

The synthesis, antibacterial activity and oral absorption of novel cephalosporins (3a-3d) having a 2-propenyl group at the C-3 position are described. Diphenylmethyl 7-amino-3-(2-propenyl)-3-cephem-4-carboxylate HCl (4) prepared from 7-aminocephalosporanic acid in 12 steps was acylated with various acid moieties to give cephems 3a-3d. The cephems 3a-3c showed similar antibacterial activities as cefixime. However, these cephems were not well absorbed orally.