Synthesis and structure-activity relationships of some novel oxetane carbapenems

Six disubstituted oxetane carbapenems were synthesized and their antibacterial profile compared with the lead amino methyl THF carbapenem as well as imipenem. The oxetane carbapenems had comparable or less activity against the Gram(−) bacteria and had reduced activity against Gram(+) bacteria in comparison with imipenem and the THF carbapenem CL 191, 121, but were highly stable to hydrolysis by hog kidney dehydropeptidase (DHP).