Synthesis and biological activity of 7 alpha-hydroxyethyl-1-oxacephem derivatives

A series of 7 alpha-hydroxyethyl-1-oxacephems (1) was synthesized. The main focus of this study was to investigate biological activity relationships between 1-oxacephems (1) and the corresponding cephems (2). Replacement of the sulfur atom of 2 by the oxygen atom caused an enhancement of antibacterial activity, although the antibacterial activity of 1 was not high enough. Additionally 1 showed beta-lactamase inhibitory activity, especially against cephalosporinase. However, the potency was lower than that of 2.