Some Aspects of the Antimicrobial and Chemical Properties of Phenyl Boronate Esters of Chloramphenicol

Substituted phenyl boronate esters of chloramphenicol have significant antimicrobial potency against common pathogens. The isosteric 1,3-dioxanes in which the boron atom has been replaced by a methine group are inactive under the conditions of test. The boronate esters are regarded as having the same conformation as the parent antibiotic. Photochemical degradation of these esters by simulated sunlight proceeds much faster than it does with chloramphenicol.