CEPHALOSPORIN 3'-QUINOLONE ESTERS WITH A DUAL MODE OF ACTION

According to the generally accepted mechanism by which bacterial enzymes react with cephalosporins, opening of the β-lactam ring can lead to the expulsion of a 3'-substituent. A series of dual-action cephalosporins was prepared in which antibacterial quinolones were linked to the cephalosporin 3'-position through an ester bond in the expectation that, in addition to exerting their own β-lactam activity, these cephalosporins would act as prodrugs for the second antibacterial agent. Compared to parent cephalosporins in which the 3'-substituent was acetoxy, the bifunctional cephalosporins exhibited a broadened antibacterial spectrum, suggesting that a dual mode of action may indeed be operative. © 1990, American Chemical Society. All rights reserved.