Mannopeptimycin esters and carbonates, potent antibiotic agents against drug-resistant bacteria.

A series of ester and carbonate derivatives of the glycopeptide mannopeptimycin α (1) with potent activity against G(+) bacteria, including the methicillin-resistant staphylococci and vancomycin-resistant enterococci, was synthesized. The SAR data obtained from natural and semisynthetic compounds demonstrated the importance of a hydrophobic group in the terminal mannosyl moiety for antibacterial activity.