Hexa-N-benzylneomycin and five analogs substituted on the phenyl ring have been prepared by reductive alkylation of neomycin with the appropriate benzaldehydes. Most of the six show activity, to varying degrees, against a number of microorganisms, including Staphylococcus aureus, in vitro. Little or no activity was evidenced in vivo against Staphylococcus aureus, however.
