Syntheses and Antimicrobial Activities of Fomecins A and B, Asperugin, and Related Compounds

Fomecins A and B, phenolic antibiotics produced by the basidiomycete Fomes juniperinus SCHRENK, and asperugin, a metabolite of Aspergillus rugulosus, were synthesized from gallic acid. Various congeners were also prepared. Their antibacterial and antifungal activities were tested in vitro and some of the products were found to exhibit moderate antifungal activities.