Synthesis and antibacterial activity of aminosugar-functionalized intercalating agents

A series of previously reported amino sugar-functionalized intercalating agents, 3-14, were evaluated in two antibacterial assays (paper disk diffusion and 96-well microdilution) against Bacillus atrophaeus, ATCC 9372 and Escherichia coli, ATCC 47076. Although none of the compounds were active against this E. coli strain, several showed activity against B. atrophaeus. In anticipation of the need for larger amounts of these compounds for future structure-activity relationship studies, improved routes to 11-14 were developed.