Abstract
7-O-Acyl-(4a-e) and 7-O-alkylmonensins (5a-d) were prepared from monensin (1). Their lipophilicity, sodium ion permeability in human erthrocysts, antibacterial activity and effect on rat tail artery were examined. There was a correlation between lipophilicity and sodium ion permeability as well as between lipophilicity and antibacterial activity.We also found that the compound having larger sodium ion permeability, showed stronger contraction of rat tail artery. 7-O-Benzylmonensin (5c) exhibited higher lipophilicity and larger sodium ion permeability than monensin (1)among the tested monesin derivatives. In addition, antibacterial activity and contractile effect on rat tail artery of 5c were comparable to those of 1.