Synthesis of Sch 29482--a novel penem antibiotic

Sch 29482 (SCH), a novel penem antibiotic, has been synthesized and found to be highly active against Gram-positive and Gram-negative organisms (excluding Pseudomonas ). It is stable to β -lactamases and is bactericidal. SCH is orally absorbed in experimental animals and also shows absorption in a preliminary study in man. The enantiomer of Sch 29482 has been synthesized and found to be essentially inactive. The relative microbiological activities of the four racemates are discussed.