YM-17K

The title compounds, which proved highly antibacterial, have been prepared by selective hydrogenation of the corresponding 2,3-unsaturated compounds with LiAlH4, diisobutylaluminium hydride, or NaBH4–NiCl2 as the key steps. Further, the latter title compound was prepared effectively through the reaction of 3-O-benzylsulfonyl-5-O-(4-deoxy-4-iodomycaminosyl)-23-O-(dimethylthexylsilyl)tylonolide 9,20-bis(ethylene acetal) with Raney Ni–K2CO3 involing three steps in it.

The title compound I (R = H) was prepared in 7 steps from I (R = OH).The former showed a stronger activity than the latter against a number of pathol. bacteria.