A novel ketolide class: Synthesis and antibacterial activity of a lead compound.

Synthesis and antibacterial activity of a new class of ketolide antibiotics, exemplified by the prototype GW680788X (1), are described. The structure of (1) has been elucidated by spectroscopic analysis. The good antibacterial activity shown by (1) in comparison with clarithromycin prompted us to consider this compound as a lead molecule for further exploration.