6"'-Deamino-6"'-hydroxy derivatives, as intermediates in the biosynthesis of neomycin and paromomycin

From broths of a neomycin producing Streptomyces fradiae and of a mutant of Streptomyces rimosus forma paromomycinus respectively, 6"'-deamino-6"'-hydroxyneomycin and 6"'-deamino-6"'hydroxyparomomycin were obtained and their structures established by mass and 13C-NMR spectroscopy and by the study of hydrolytic fragments. These new compounds, which are both present as two epimers at C-5"', are suggested as intermediates in the biosynthesis of the parent antibiotics. The place and the mechanism of the 5"'-epimerisation and of the 6"'-amination are discussed.