Synthesis and antibacterial activity of novel benzodioxin-containing oxazolidinones against M. abscessus

Mycobacterium abscessus infections represent a significant treatment challenge, owing to the lack of effective therapies, and the intensive multidrug regimens currently recommended for this indication. Oxazolidinone antibiotics such as linezolid have been used to treat this complex disease. Utilizing a strategic structural extension strategy, five novel oxazolidinone derivatives were synthesized by the introduction of oxime, nitrile, amide, amidoxime, and oxime ester functional groups to a previously reported benzodioxin-scaffold. The in vitro activities of these derivatives against M. abscessus were assessed, with the amidoxime derivative exhibiting activity superior to linezolid.