Enols as potent antibacterial agents.

Abstract This paper describes the discovery of α-trifluoroketoacetamides as potent antibacterial agents against Gram-positive organisms. The initial SAR indicates that the aryl ethyl side chain is essential in maintaining antibacterial activity. The SAR observations have been utilized to design a bioisostere for the α-trifluoroketoacetamide with good activity against Gram-positive organisms.