Synthesis and studies of catechol-containing mycobactin S and T analogs

The syntheses of catechol-containing mycobactin S and T analogs are described. These analogs incorporate a catechol-glycine moiety in place of the phenol-oxazoline of the naturally occurring mycobactins S and T. Studies indicated that the new siderophore analogs bind iron, and promote the growth of a number of microbes, especially strains of mycobacteria, as expected.