Synthesis of a dihydroxythiophene analogue of catechosporines

A vinylogous cephalosporine bearing a dihydroxythiophene moiety as a potential catechol surrogate has been synthesised (I-e-β). Even if the anti staphylococcus spectrum displayed by this compound is of interest, its activity against Pseudomonas species, expected for such a structure, remains disappointing. Figure 1.