Synthesis and biological activity of 1β-methyl-2-[5′-isoxazoloethenylpyrrolidin-3′-ylthio]carbapenems

Abstract A new series of 1β-methylcarbapenems 1a – i bearing isoxazoloethenyl groups on the pyrrolidine ring has been prepared and evaluated for in vitro antibacterial activity and stability to DHP-I. Most compounds showed excellent antibacterial activity and high stability to DHP-I superior to that of meropenem. Of these new carbapenems, 1a , b , h exhibited the best combination of antibacterial activity and DHP-I stability.