Abstract
Recent developments in the chemistry of sugar-containing antibiotics are briefly surveyed from the standpoint of synthesis. The antibiotics are classified into 1) aminoglycoside antibiotics, 2) macrolide antibiotics, 3) anthracycline antibiotics, and 4) others. Total syntheses of aminoglycoside antibiotics have been developed as exemplified by those of streptomycins, kanamycins, neomycin C, and spectinomycin. Several semi-synthetic aminoglycoside antibiotics which are active against resistant bacteria have been developed and commercialized. Total syntheses of several macrolide antibiotics have recently been completed as exemplified by those of methymycin, erythromycin, carbomycin B, and josamycin. Very recently, 23-dialkylamino-derivatives of mycarosyl and 4' - deoxymycarosyl tylonolide were synthesized and found remarkably active against · Gram-negative bacteria, Total syntheses of the representative anthracycline antibiotics, adriamycin and daunomycin have been completed, and syntheses of their derivatives of improved toxicity are in active progress. In the other area, total syntheses of bleomycin, an important antineoplastic agent, and streptothricin, a well-known antibacterial antibiotic, have recently been completed. Several approaches to ward the total syntheses of antibiotics containing sugars are cited.
