Diketene analogs as beta-lactamase inhibitor

Compounds having a structural analogy with diketene have been synthesized and their potencies as beta-lactamase inhibitors have been studied. Among six compounds so far tested, alpha-phenyl-beta-benzylidene-3-propanolide was shown to be an irreversible inhibitor of the enzyme. The availability of simple monocyclic compounds as beta-lactamase inhibitors is discussed.