Title of Invention

NEW MACROLIDES ANTIBIOTICS OF FORMULA I WITH ANTIBACTERIAL ACTIVITY

Abstract

246/CHENP/2003 New macrolides antibiotics of formula I with antibacterial activity Macrolide antibiotics of formula I wherein R1 is hydrogen, cyano, -S(L)mR2, -S(O)(1)MR2, or - S(O)2(L)m,R2 L represents -(CH2)n- or -(CH2)„Z(CH3)m- m is 0 or l; n is 1,2, 3. or 4; n' is 0, 1,2,3, or 4; Z is O,S or NH; R2 is hydrogen, alkyl, heterocyclyl or aryl; which heterocyclyl. and the and groups may be further substituted; * indicates a chiral center which is in the (R) or (S) form. and pharmaceutically acceptable add addition salts or in vivo cleavable esters thereof.

Full Text

New Macrolides with Antibacterial Activity This invention relates to new macrolide antibiotics with improved activity and stability, to the use of such antibiotics for the treatment of infectious diseases and to compositions containing such macrolides. The interest in macrolide antibiotics is increasing because these compoimds are a very effective and safe class of agents against gram positive pathogens. Extensive spread of erythromycin A resistance among gram positive cocci isolates raised the urgent need for novel derivatives with improved activity, stability and antimicrobial spectra. The two most successful second generation agents derived from erythromycin A (1) through semisynthesis were its 6-0-methyl derivative clarithromycin (2) and the 15-membered azalide azithromycin (3) arising from a Beckman rearrangement (Figure 1). However, while featuring improved pharmacokinetics, none of these agents possessed a significant activity against bacterial isolates showing macrolide-lincosamide-streptogramine B (MLS B) cross resistance. Many different semisynthetic third generation derivatives of the ketolide class of macrolide antibiotics have been described, the most potent being HMR 3647 or telithromycin (4) (EP 680967 Al (1995); FR 2732684 Al (1996); Bioorg. Med. Chem.Lett (1999), 9(21), 3075-3080,) and ABT 773 (WO 9809978 (1998); J.Med. Chem. 2000,43,1045), However, none of these agents described thus far have been able to overcome constitutive MLS B resistance in Staphylococais aureus. The invention provides new maaolide antibiotics of formxila I with improved biological properties and improved stability, and pharmaceutically acceptable acid addition salts or in vivo cleavable esters thereof. These compounds are new and possess potent antimicrobial properties against gram positive and selected gram negative organisms. Therefore, they are useful as agents against gram positive pathogens such as staphylococdy streptococci and pneumococci as well as some gram negative strains such as K influenzae and may be used in human or veterinary medicine for treatment or prevention of infections caused by susceptible organisms. The chiral center in position 3 is preferably in the (S) whereas the center in 4 are is preferably in the (R) configuration. As used herein the term "alkyl" refers to straight or branched chain saturated hydrocarbon group having 1 to 12 carbon atoms, preferably 1 to 6 carbon atoms. Such groups are for example methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl, tertiary butyl, pentyl, hexyl, and the like. The term "halogen" refers to chlorine, bromine or iodine. The term "aryl" refers to 6-membered, aromatic groups with one or more nuclei from 6 to 14 carbon atoms. Examples are phenyl, naphthyl, anthryl and phenanthryL These groups may be further substituted with, for example, phenyl, alkyl, lower alkoxy such as methoxy, ethoxy, propyloxy or n-butoxy, halogen, hydroxy, amino, alkylamino, dialkylamino or nitro. As used herein the term "heterocydyl" refers to an unsaturated or saturated, unsubstituted or substituted 5-, 6-, or 7-membered (mono- or bicydic) heterocyclic ring system containing at least one hetero atom selected from the group consisting of oxygen, nitrogen, and/or sulfur. Exemplary heterocycUc substituents include, but are not limited to, for example, the following groups: piperidinyl, morpholinyl, 2-, 3- or 4-pyTidyl, pyrrolidinyl, piperazinyl, IH-pyrazol-1-yl, lH-[l,2,4]triazol-l-yl, lH-imidazol-1-yl, pyrazinyl,pyrimidyl,pyridazinyl, pyxazolyl, triazinyl, thiazolyl, thiadiazolyl, oxadiazolyl, triazolyl, iH-tetrazolyl, 2H-etrazolyl; thienyl, furyl, lH-azepinyl,tetrahydrothiophenyl, 3H-l,2,3-oxathiazplyl, 1,2,3-oxadiazolyl, 1,2,5-oxadithiolyl, isoxazolyl, isothiazolyl, 4H-l,2,4-oxadiazinyl, 1,2,5-oxathiazinyl, 1,2,3,5-oxathiadiazinyl, 1,3,4-thiadiazepinyl, 1,2,5,6-oxatriazepinyl, 1,6,3,4-dioxadithiopanyl, oxazolidinyl, tetrahydrothienyl, and the like, or condensed heterocyclic ring systems such as quinolinyl, isoquinolinyl, quinazolinyl, IH-benztriazolyl, lH-imidazo[4,5-c]pyridinyl, 5H-imidazo[4,5-c] pyridinyl, iH-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridin- 1-yl, 3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridin-3-yl, 1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-isoquinolinyl, thieno[2,3-b] pyridinyl, benzothiazolyl, IH-benzoimidazolyl, IH-indolyl, 1,2,3,4-tetrahydroquinolinyl, purinyl, e.g. 9H-purin-9-yl, 6-amino-9H-purin-9-yl, and others. The aryl or heterocydyl groups may be further substituted by one or more substituents. Such substituents include, for example, alkyl groups such as defined above, alkoxy groups such as methoxy, ethoxy, propyloxy or butyloxy, halogen such as fluorine, chlorine, bromine or iodine, halogen substituted alkyl groups sucli'as trifluoromethyl, trichloroethyl, nitro, amino, alkylamino, dialkylamino, alkylthio, mercapto, hydroxy, carbamoyl, a carboxyl group, an oxo group; or unsubstituted or substituted aryl as defined above; or heterocyclyl. Especially preferred substituents for the heterocyclic groups are alkyl, alkoxy, oxo, amino, alkylamino or dialkylamino. Examples of preferred substituted heterocyclic rings are lH-pyrimidin-2,4-dione-l-yl, lH-pyrimidin-2,4-dione-5-methyl-l-yl, lH-pyrimidin-4-amino-2-one-lyl, 6-amino-9H-purine-9-yl, 6-dimethylamino-9H-purine-9-yl,3-(pyridin-3-yl)-lH-pyrazol-l-yl,3-(pyridin-4-yl)-lH-pyrazol-l-yl, 3-(pyridin-3-yl)-lH-imidazol-l-yl, 3-(pyridin-4-yl)-lH-imidazol-l-yl, 3-(pyridin-3-yl)-lH-[l,2,4]tria2ol-l-yl,or3-(pyridin-4-yl)-lH-[l,2,4]triazo^ Preferred compounds of formula I are compounds, wherein L is -(CH2)n and n is 0,1,2 or 3, Further preferred are compounds of formula I, wherein R2 is aryl or heterocyclyl, especially, wherein R2 is phenyl, dialkoxyphenyl, 6-amino-9H-purin-9-yl or pyridinyl-lH-pyrazol-l-yl. If desired, compounds of formula 1 can be converted into a pharmaceutically acceptable acid addition salt. The salt formation is effected at room temperature with methods which are known per se and which are familiar to any person skilled in the art. Not only salts with inorganic acids, but also salts with organic acids come into consideration. Hydrochlorides, hydrobromides, sulfates, nitrates, citrates, acetates, trifluoroacetates, maleates, succinates, methanesulphonates, p-toluenesulphonates and the like are examples of such salts. Further the compounds can be converted into in vivo cleavable esters, for example into esters with the 2'-hydroxy group of the sugar moiety, such esters are e.g. acetates, pivaloyl esters, tartrates, maleates, succinates, and the like. These esters can be prepared according to methods known in the art, for example by reaction with an appropriate anhydride. The compounds of the present invention and their pharmaceutically acceptable acid addition salts or in vivo cleavable esters thereof are useful as antibacterial therapeutics, Compounds of formula I possess excellent antibacterial activity against selected pathogenic bacteria such as strains of Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus pneumoniae. They can thus be used as medicaments for the treatment of infectious diseases especially of infectious diseases caused by staphylococci, such as septicemia, skin infections, soft tissue infections, deep infections after trauma, surgery or insertion of foreign material, pneumonia, arthritis, bursitis, and osteomyelitis, infections caused by streptococci such as septicemia, skin infections, soft tissue infections, deep infections after trauma, surgery or insertion of foreign material, pharyngitis, pneumonia, bronchopneumonia, bronchitis, otitis, sinusitis, and scarlet-fever. Furthermore, the compounds of formula I can be used as medicaments for the treatment of infections caused by germs such as Haemophilus influenzae, Moraxella catarrhalis, rickettsiae, ehrlichiae, Mycoplasma pneumoniae, Neisseria spp., Chlamydia spp, Legionella spp, Ureaplasma iirealyticum or by susceptible strains of Mycobacterium spp. The antibacterial activities of the compounds have been determined by standard microdilution technique (National Committee for Clinical Laboratory Standards, 1997, Methods for dilution antimicrobial susceptibility tests for bacteria that grow aerobically, 4th edition. Approved standard M7-A4. National Committee for Clinical Laboratory Standards, Wayne, Pa), The activities expressed as the minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) (μg/ml) are given in Table 2 below. The biological activities of compounds of the present invention against Haemophilus influenzae have been determined by standard agar dilution method using HTM medium (National Committee for Clinical Laboratory Standards. 1997. Methods for dilution antimicrobial susceptibility tests for bacteria that grow aerobically, 4th edition. Approved standard M7-A4. National Committee for Clinical Laboratory Standards, Wayne, Pa). Their MICs along with MiCs of selected reference compounds are given in Table 3. The compounds in accordance with the invention can be used as medicaments. They possess good oral absorption properties. A further embodiment of the present invention are thus medicaments comprising compounds of formula I, their pharmaceutically acceptable acid addition salts or in vivo cleavable esters thereof for the treatment and prevention of infectious diseases, for example, in the form of pharmaceutical preparations for enteral (oral) administration. The products in accordance with the invention can be administered, for example, perorally, such as in the form of tablets, coated tablets, dragees, hard and soft gelatin capsules, solutions, emulsions or suspensions, or rectally, such as in the form G£ suppositories, or parenteraliy e.g. by injection, or locally for example by topical administration, preferably the compounds are administered orally. Pharmaceutical compositions containing these compounds can be prepared using conventional procedures familiar to those skilled in the art, such as by combining the ingredients into a dosage form together with suitable, non-toxic, inert, therapeutically compatible solid or liquid carrier materials and, if desired, the usual pharmaceutical adjuvants. It is contemplated that the compounds are ultimately embodied into compositions of suitable oral, parenteral or topical dosage forms. The compositions of this invention can contain, as optional ingredients, any of the various adjuvants which are used ordinarily in the production of pharmaceutical preparations. Thus, for example, in formulating the present compositions into the desired oral dosage forms, one may use, as optional ingredients, fillers, such as coprecipitated aluminum hydroxide-calcium carbonate, dicalcium phosphate or lactose; disintegrating agents, such as maize starch; and lubricating agents, such as talc, calcium stearate, and the like. It should be fully understood, however, that the optional ingredients herein named are given by way of example only and that the invention is not restricted to the use hereof. Other such adjuvants, which are well known in the art, can be employed in carrying out this invention. Suitable as such carrier materials are not only inorganic, but also organic carrier materials. Thus, for tablets, coated tablets, dragees and hard gelatin capsules there can be used, for example, lactose, maize starch or derivatives thereof, talc, stearic acid or its salts. Suitable carriers for soft gelatin capsules are, for example, vegetable oils, waxes, fats and semi-solid and liquid polyols (depending on the nature of the active substance; no carriers are, however, required in the case of soft gelatin capsules). Suitable carrier materials for the preparation of solutions and syrups are, for example, water, polyols, saccharose, invert sugar and glucose. Suitable carrier materials for suppositories are, for example, natural or hardened oils, waxes, fats and semi-liquid or liquid polyols. As pharmaceutical adjuvants there are contemplated the usual preservatives, solubilizers, stabilizers, wetting agents, emulsifiers, sweeteners, colorants, flavorings, salts for varying the osmotic pressure, buffers, coating agents and antioxidants. The compounds of formula I and their acid addition salts or in vivo cleavable esters thereof can be used for parenteral administration and for this purpose are preferably made into preparations for injection as lyophilisates or dry powders for dilution with customary agents, such as water or isotonic common salt solution. The compounds of formula I and their acid addition salts or in vivo cleavable esters thereof can be used for topical administration and for this purpose are preferably made into preparations as ointments, cremes or gels. For the prevention and treatment of infectious diseases in mammals, human and non-human, a daily dosage of about 10 mg to about 2000 mg, especially about 50 mg to about 1000 mg, is usual, with those of ordinary skill in the art appreciating that the dosage will depend also upon the age, conditions of the mammals, and the kind of diseases being prevented or treated. The daily dosage can be administered in a single dose or can be divided over several doses. An average single dose of about 100 mg, 250 mg, 500 mg and 1000 mg can be contemplated. The compounds of the present invention can be prepared by method well known in the art, e.g. by chemical modification of the readily available template molecule 2'-O-acetyl-4"-O"benzyloxy-carbonyl-6-O-methyl-ll-deoxy-10,ll-didehydroerythromycin A (6) first described by Baker et al in /. Org.Chem. 1988,53,2340 - 2345. The template molecule (6) was synthesized by means of modified procedures published by Baker et al. in /. Org.Chem. 1988,53y 2340 - 2345 and Agouridas et al. in /. Med. Chem, 1998,41,4080 - 4100, i.e. starting firom the semisynthetic 6-0-methyl derivative clarithromycin (2) according to the procedure depicted in Scheme L The 2'-hydroxy group of the desosamine moiety of clarithromycin (2) was selectively protected by treatment with acetic anhydride in methylene chloride without addition of base to give compound 7 in near quantitative yield. Subsequently, a benzyloxycarbonyl protecting group was introduced selectively to the 4""hydroxy group by treatment of 7 with benzyl chloroformiate and 4- dimethylaminopyridine (DMAP) in methylene chloride at -30 °C to give doubly protected clarithromycin 8, Further treatment of 8 with sodium hexamethyldisilazane and carbonyldiimidazole in tetrahydrofuran (THF) at -78 °C gave cyclic carbonate 19. Cyclic carbonate 19 was subsequently subjected to |3-elimination with l,8-diazabicyclo[5.4.0]undec-7-ene (DBU) in refluxingbenzene to give the protected enone 6 in excellent yield. According to the invention the protected enone (6) is then further reacted as depicted in reaction scheme 2 The hydroxy group at position 12 of compound 6 is esterified by treatment with an appropriate carboxylic acid (R1COOH), N,N'-dicyclohexylcarbodimede (DCC) and N,N'-dimethylaminopyridine (DMAP) in a chlorinated solvent such as methylene chloride or dichloroethane (reaction A). Following extractive work up, the crude product is purified by flash chromatography to give the corresponding ester with the general formula IV. The same compound can be obtained in an alternative way by the following two reaction steps: Compound 6 is esterified with a 2-haloacetic acid such as chloroacetic acid or bromoacetic acid (reaction B) under identical conditions as described above in reaction A to give haloacetyl derivative IX. Haloacetyl derivative IX is then treated with a suitable thiol (R1H) in the presence of a base such as l,8-dia2abicydo[5.4.0]undec-7-ene (DBU), K2CO3, NEt2, in acetone until no starting material remains (reaction C). The reaction typically lasts from 30 minutes to 3 hours. Following aqueous work up, the crude material is purified by silica gel flash chromatography to give the product TV in high yield. In a similar way, treatment of haloacetyl derivative IX with a tetraalkylammoniumcyanide such as tetraethylammoniumcyanide results in the formation of a compound with formula I wherein Rl is -CN. Compound IV is then treated with an alkali metal base such as NaH or potassium tert-butoxide in an aprotic solvent such as dimethylformamide (DMF) or tetrahydrofuran (THF) at temperatures ranging from -20°C to 20°C for 30 minutes to 5 hours (reaction D) until no starting material remains as judged by thin layer chromatography (TLC). The amount of base is usually 1 to 3 equivalents relative to the starting compound. The reaction mixture is then partitioned between diethylether and 0.5 M KH2PO4. The crude material isolated from the extraction step is further purified by silica gel flash chromatography to give the product V as a mixture of two diasteromers in various ratios. Selective cleavage of the cladinose moiety of V is carried out by the methods known to the art with 1 to 5% HCl in an alcolholic solvent such as methanol or ethanol for 12 to 72 hours at a temperature preferably from -15*^C to 40°C (reaction E). The solvent is then removed and the crude product is taken up in an appropriate organic solvent. The solution is washed with a basic aqueous solution ranging from pH 8 -13. The crude product obtained from the extraction step is then fiirther purified by silica gel flash chromatography to give VI as a mixture of two diasteromers in various ratios. Oxidation of VI is carried out with 1,2-dichloroethane EDC^HCl, dimethoxy-sulfoxide (DMSO) and pyridinium trifluoroacetate in a chlorinated solvent such as methylene chloride or dichloroethane at temperatures ranging from -15°C to room temperature for 1 to 5 hours as described by Agouridas et al. in J. Med. Chem, 1998, 41, 4080 - 4100, (reaction F). The reaction mixture is then quenched with NaHCO3-solution, separated from the aqueous phase, dried and evaporated to give the crude product that is further purified by silica gel flash chromatography to give ketolide VII as a mixture of two diasteromers in various ratios. The oxidation of VI can also be carried out using (l,l,l-triacetoxy)-l,l-dihydro-l,2-benziodoxol-3-(lH)-one (Dess-Martin reagent) in a chlorinated solvent such as methylene chloride at temperatures ranging from -20°C to room temperature for 1 to 5 hours as described by S.E Martin et al. in J. Am, Chem. Soc 1997,119,3193-3194. Final deprotection of the 2'-hydroxy group of VII is achieved by stirring the compound in an alcoholic solvent such as methanol or ethanol for 12 to 72 hours (reaction G). The solvent is evaporated to give the desired deprotected product of formula I as a single diasteromer. The following examples illustrate the present invention, but are not intended to be limiting in any manner. Certain abbreviations are used repeatedly in the following specification. These include: TLC for thin layer chromatography; HPLC for high performance liquid chromatography; DMSO for dimethylsulphoxide; DBU for diazabicycloundecane; DIPEA for diisopropylethylamine (Huenig's base); DIAD for diisopropylazadicarboxylate; DMF for dimethylformamide; THF for tetrahydrofurane; DCC for dicyclohexylcarbodiimide; DMAP for 4-dimethylaminopyridine; EDC.HC1 for N-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)-N'-ethylcarbodiimide hydrochloride; Ry indicates the retention of the compound on thin layer chromatography; KO^Bu for potassium tert-butylate; MS for mass spectrometry; NMR for nuclear magnetic resonance; ISP for ion spray. Example 1: Preparation of (3S, 3aR, 4R, 6R, 8R, 9R, 10R, 12R, 15R, 15aS)-15-Ethyloctahydro-8-methoxy-4,6,8,10,12,15a-hexamethyl-3-[[2-phenylethyl]thio]-9-[[3,4,6-trideoxy-3- (dimethylamino)-β-D-xylohexopyranosyl] oxy] -2H-furo [2,3-c] oxacyclotetradecin-2,5,11,13 (3H,6H,12H)-t€trone (I-l, compound of formula I, wherein R^ is [2-phenylethyl]thio) A] [ [2-Phenylethyl]thio]acetic acid was prepared from 2-phenylethanethiol and chloroacetic acid according to Weissbach et al, Chem, Ber. 1929,62y 2423. B] (10£)-10,ll-Didehydro-ll-deoxy-6-O-methyl-erythromycin 2'-acetate 4"-(phenylmethyl carbonate) 12-[[[2-phenylethyl]thio]acetate] (IV-1): To a solution of 300 mg (331 μmol) (10e)-10,ll-didehydro-ll-deoxy-6-O-methyl- erythromycin-2'-acetate-4"-(phenylmethyl carbonate) (6), 209 mg (994 μmol) of [[2-phenylethyl]thio]acetic acid and 80 mg DMAP in 10 ml CH2CI2 kept under argon was added a solution of 200 mg (994 |Xmol) DCC in 5 ml CH2CI2 dropwise over 6 hours by means of a syringe pump. Following addition, the solution was stirred a room temperature for further 12 hours. The mixture was poured into 0.5 M KH2PO4 solution and extracted with CH2CI2. The organic layer was washed with brine, dried over Na2S04 and evaporated. The resulting semisolid was taken up in ethyl acetate (25 ml), filtered and evaporated to give an oil that was purified by flash chromatography (1% NEt3 in ethyl acetate). Fractions containing pure product were combined, evaporated and dried under reduced pressure to give a colorless foam. Yield: 334 mg (92%). Rft 0.35 (1% NEt3 in ethyl acetate). 1H-NMR (CDCI3) diagnostic signals only: 0.86 (t, 3H), 0.92 (d, 3H), 1.20 (s, 3H), 1.60 (s, 3H), 1.88 (s, 3H), 2.00 (s, 3H), 2.23 (s, 6H), 2.86 (s, 4H), 3.14 (s, 2H), 3.16 (s, 3H), 3.32 (s, 3H), 4.46 (d, IH), 4.56 (d, IH), 4.68 (dd, IH), 4.98 (broad d, IH), 5.13 (d, IH), 5.26 (d, IH), 5.74 (dd, IH), 6.63 (s, IH), 7.10-7.35 (m, 5H), 7.36 (s, 5H). C] {3R or S, 3aR, 4R or S, 6R, 8R, 9R, lOS, US, 12R, 15R, 15aS)-9-[[2-0-Acetyl-3,4,6-trideoxy-3-(dimethylamino)-β-D-xylo-hexopyranosyl] oxy] -11-[ [2,6-dideoxy- 3-C-methyl-3-0-methyl-4-0- [(phenylmethoxy)carbonyl] -μ-L-ribo-hexopyranosyl]oxy]-15-ethyldecahydro-8-methoxy-4,6,8,10,12,15a-hexamethyl-3-[[2-phenylethyl]thio]-2H-furo [2,3-c] oxacydotetradecin-2,5,13 (3H,6H)-triorie; mixture of 2 diastereomers (V-1): To an ice cold solution of 321 mg (296μmol) of ester IV-l in 8.5 ml dry DMF kept ' under argon was added drop by drop 445μl of a IM solution of KO^Bu in THF over 30 minutes. The resulting mixture was stirred at 0°C for 60 minutes and then partitioned between diethylether and 0.5 M KH2PO4 solution. The organic layer was washed with 3% NaHCO3 solution and brine, dried over Na2SO4 and evaporated. The crude product was purified by flash chromatography (1% NEt3 in ethyl acetate). Evaporation of the appropriate fractions gave 135 mg (58%) of the product V-1 as a 2:1 mixture of two diastereomers. R/t 0.31 (1% NEt3 in ethyl acetate). D] (3R or S, 3aR, 4R or S, 6R, SR, 9R, lOS, US, 12Ry 15R,k 15aS)-9-[[2-0-Acetyl- 3,4,6-trideoxy-3-(dimethylamino)-P-D"Xylo-hexopyranosyl]oxy]-15- ethyldecahydro-ll-hydroxy-8-methoxy-4,6,8,10,12,15a-hexamethyl-3-[[2- phenylethyl]thio]-2H-furo [2,3-c] oxacyclotetradecin-2,5,13 (3H,6H)-trione; mixture of 2 diastereomers (VI-1): 185 mg (171 [imol) V-1 were dissolved in 15 ml methanol containing 3% HCl. The solution was kept at room temperature for 24 hours and evaporated. The crude hydrochloride salt was redissolved in CH2Cl;2, washed with 5% NaHCOs and brine, dried (Na2SO4) and evaporated. Flash chromatography gave 113 mg (84%) VI-1 as a colorless glass. 2:1 Mixture of two diastereomers. R/ 0.44 (CH3CN/CH2CI2/NH4OH = 1/1/0.01) E] {3R or S, 3aR, 4R or S, 6R, 8R, 9Ry lORy 12R, l5Ry 15aS)-9-[[2-0-Acetyl-3,4,6- trideoxy-3-(dimethylamino)-β-D-xyZo-hexopyranosyl]oxy]-15-ethyloctahydro-8- methoxy-4,6,8,10,12,15a-hexamethyl-3-[[2-phenylethyl]thio]-2H-furo [2,3-c] oxacyclotetradecin-2,5,11,13 (3H,6H,12H)-tetrone; mixture of 2 diastereomers (VIM): To a suspension of 104 mg (131 μmol) VI-1,168 mg EDC*HC1 and 168μl DMSO in 1.5 ml CH2CI2 kept under argon was added a solution of 169 mg pyridinum trifluoroacetate in 3.0 ml CH2CI2 over 15 minutes. The resulting yellow solution was stirred for 60 minutes and then poured into 5% NaHCOs solution. The organic layer was separated, washed with 3% NaHCOs and brine to remove excess DMSO, dried over Na2SO4 and evaporated. Flash chromatography gave the protected ketolide VII-1 as a 2:1 mixture of two diastereomers in quantitative yield. Rf: 0.44 (CH3CN/CH2CI2/NH4OH = 1/1/0.01) F] (3S, 3aR, 4R, 6R, 8R, 9R, lOR, 12R, 15R, 15aS)-15-Ethyloctahydro-8-methoxy-4,6,8,10,12,15a-hexainethyl-3-[[2-phenylethyl]thio]-9-[[3,4,6-trideoxy-3- (dimethylamino)-β-D-x)'Zo-hexopyranosyl]oxy] -2H-furo [2,3-c] oxaq^clotetradecin-2,5,11,13 (3H,6H,12H)-tetrone (I-l): Protected ketolide VII-1 was dissolved in 10 ml methanol and stirred for 72 hours at room temperature. The solvent was removed to give the desired compound I-l as a single diastereomer. MS (ISP): 748.5 (MH""). 'H-NMR (CDCI3) diagnostic signals only: 0.88 (t, 3H), 1.14 (2 d, 6H), 1.25 (d, 3H), 1.32 (s, 3H), 1.33 (d, 3H), 1.37 (d, 3H), 1.51 (s, 3H), 2.26 (s, 6H), 2.62 (s, IH), 2.73 (s, 3H), 3.86 (q, IH), 4.27 (d> IH), 4.34 (d, IH), 4.35 (s, IH), 5.53 (dd, IH), 7.13-7.28 (m, 5H). Example 2: Preparation of (3S, 3aR, 4R, 6R, 8R, 9R, lOR, 12R, 15R, 15aS)-15-Ethyloctahydro-8-methoxy-4,6,8,10,12,15a-hexamethyl-3- [ [2-phenylpropyl] thio] -9- [ [3,4,6-trideoxy- 3-(dimethylamino)-β-D-xyZo-hexopyranosyl]oxy] -2H-furo [2,3-c] oxacyclotetradecin-2,5,11,13 (3H,6H,12H)-tetrone (1-2, compound of formula I where R^ is [3-phenylpropyl]thio) A] [[3-Phenylpropyl]thio]acetic acid was prepared from 3-phenylpropanethiol and chloroacetic acid according to Weissbach et al. Chem. Ber. 1929,52,2423. B] (10£)-10,ll-Didehydro-ll-deoxy-6-O-methylerythromycin 2'-acetate4"-(phenylmethyl carbonate) 12-[[[3-phenylpropyl]thio]acetate] (IV-2): Was prepared in analogy to example IB from 300 mg 6 and 209 mg [ [3-phenylpropyl] thio] acetic acid. 334 mg of the desired product IV-2 were obtained. R/. 0.47 (1% NEt3 in ethyl acetate). 'H-NMR (CDCI3) diagnostic signals only: 0.87 (t, 3H), 0.92 (d, 3H), 1.20 (s, 3H), 1.58 (s, 3H), 1.87 (s, 3H), 1.90 (m, 2H), 2.23 (s, 6H), 2.59 (t, 2H), 2.69 (t, 2H), 3.14 (s, 2H), 3.16 (s, 3H), 3.32 (s, 3H), 4.36 (m, IH), 4.47 (d, IH), 4.57 (d, IH), 4.68 (dd, IH), 4.98 (d, IH), 5.13 (d, IH), 5.26 (d, IH), 5.73 (dd, IH), 6.63 (s, IH), 7.12-7.33 (m, 5H), 7.33 (s, 5H). C] (3R or S, 3aR, 4R or S, 6R, 8R, 9R, lOS, US, 12R, 15R, 15aS)-9-[[2-0-Acetyl- 3,4,6-trideoxy-3-(dimethylamino)-β-D-xylo-hexopyranosyl]oxy]-ll-[[2,6-dideoxy- 3-C-methyl-3-0-methyl-4-0- [(phenylmethoxy)carbonyl] -a-L-riho-hexopyranosyl]oxy]-15-ethyldecahydro-8-methoxy-4,6,8,10,12,15a-hexamethyl-3-[[3-phenylpropyl]thio]-2H-furo [2,3-c] oxacyclotetradecin-2,5,13 (3H,6H)-trjone; mixture of 2 diastereomers (V-2): Cyclization of 316 mg IV-2 as described in example IC with 431 \xl KO'Bu in 8.5 ml DMF gave 165 mg of the desired product V-2 as a 1.5:1 mixtvire of two diasteromers. R/ 0.37 (1% NEt3 in ethyl acetate). D] i3R or S, 3zR, 4R or S, 6R, 8R, 9J?, lOS, US, 12R, 15R, 15aS)-9-[[2-0-Acetyl- 3,4,6-trideoxy-3-(dimethylamino)-β-D-xylo-hexopyranosyl] oxy] -15- ethyldecahydro-1 l-hydroxy-8-methoxy-4,6,8,10,12,l 5a-hexamethyl-3- [ [2- phenylpropyl]thio]-2H-furo [2,3-c] oxacyclotetradecin-2,5,13 (3H,6H)-trione; mixture of two diastereomers (VI-2): According to example ID, 165 mg of V-2 were subjected to methanolysis to give 95 mg of product VI-2 as a 1.5:1 mixture of two diastereomers. R/ 0.30 (CH3CN/CH2CI2/NH4OH 1:1:0.01). 1H-NMR (CDCl3) diagnostic signals only: Diastereomer 1; 2.07 (s, 3H), 2.26 (s, 6H), 3.05 (s, 3H), 3.74 (d, IH), 4.47 (s, IH), 5.63 (dd, IH); diastereomer 2; 2.08 (s, 3H), 2.24 (s, 6H), 3.07 (s, 3H), 3.84 (d, IH), 3.92 (d, IH), 5.00 (dd, IH). E] (3R or S, 3aR, 4R or S, 6R, 8R, 9R, lOR, 12R, 15R, 15aS)-9-[[2-0-Acetyl-3,4,6- trideoxy-3-(dimethylamino)-β-D-xylo-hexopyranosyl]oxy]-15-ethyloctahydro-8-methoxy-4,6,8,10,12,15a-hexamethyl-3-[ [2-phenylpropyl]thio]-2H-furo [2,3-c] oxacyclotetradecin-2,5,11,13 (3H,6H,12if)-tetrone; (VII-2): 95 mg VI-2 were oxidized as described in example IE to give 84 mg of VII-2 as a 1.5:1 mixture of two diastereomers. Rf 0.44 (CH3CN/CH2CI2/NH4OH 1:1:0.01). 'H-NMR (CDCl3) diagnostic signals only: Diastereomer 1; 2.05 (s, 3H), 2.25 (s, 6H), 2.79 (s, 3H), 3.83 (q, IH), 5.54 (dd, IH); diastereomer 2; 2.02 (s, 3H), 2.23 (s, 6H), 2.79 (s, 3H), 3.77 (q, IH), 4.98 (dd, IH). F] (3S, 3aR, 4R, 6R, 8R, 9R, 10R, 12R, 15R, 15aS)-15-Ethyloctahydro-8-methoxy- 4,6,8,10,12,15a-hexamethyl-3-[ [2-phenylpropyl]thio] -9- [ [3,4,6-trideoxy-3- (dimethylamino)-|3-D-xylo-hexopyranosyl]oxy]-2H-furo [2,3-c] oxacyclotetradecin-2,5,11,13 (3H,6H,12H)-tetrone; (1-2): Final deprotection of 84 mg VII-2 in methanol gave 1-2 as a single diastereomer. MS (ISP): 762.4 (MH+). +H-NMR (CDCl3) diagnostic signals only: 0.89 (t, 3H), 1.11 (d, 3H), 1.13 (d, 3H), 1.24 (d, 3H), 1.32 (s, 3H), 1.33 (d, 3H), 1.38 (d, 3H), 1.51 (s, 3H), 2.03 (m, 2H), 2.27 (s, 6H), 2.62 (s, IH), 2.80 (s, 3H), 3.86 (q, IH), 4.26 (s, IH), 4.28 (d, IH), 4.33 (IH), 5.53 (dd, IH), 7.12-7.32 (m, 5H). Example 3: Preparation of (3S, 3aR, 4R, 6R, 8R, 9JR, lOR, 12R, 15R, 15aS)-15-Ethyloctahydro-8-methoxy-4,6,8,10,12,15a-hexamethyl-3-[phenylthio]-9-[[3,4,6-trideoxy-3- (dimethylainino)-β-D-xy/o-hexopyranosyl] oxy] -2H-furo [2,3-c] oxacyclotetradecin-2,5,11,13 (3H,6H,12H)-tetrone; (1-3, compound of formula I, where R1 is phenylthio) A] (10E)-10,ll-Didehydro-ll-deoxy-6-O-methyl-erythromycin 2-acetate-4"- (phenylmethyl carbonate) 12-[[phenylthio]acetate] (IV-3): In analogy to example IB, coupling of 300 mg 6 and 278 mg phenylthioacetic acid gave 260 mg of the desired product IV-3. Rf. 0.55 (CH3CN/CH2CI2/NH4OH 1:1:0.01), MS (ISP): 1056.4 MH+). 1H-NMR (CDCl3) diagnostic signals only: 0.79 (t, 3H), 1.54 (s, 3H), 1.80 (s, 3H), 2.00 (s, 3H), 2.23 (s, 6H), 3.12 (s, 3H), 3.32 (s, 3H), 3.59 (s, 2H), 4.34 (m, IH), 4.45 (d, IH), 4.55 (d, IH), 4.68 (dd, IH), 4,97 (d, IH), 5.13 (d, IH), 5.24 (d, IH), 5.66 (dd, IH), 6.59 (s, IH), 7.18-7.43 (m> 5H). B] {3R or S, 3aR, 4R or S, 6Ry SR, 9R, lOS, US, 12J?, 15i2,15aS)-9-[[2-0-Acetyl- 3,4,6-trideoxy-3-(dimethylamino)-β-D-x)/Zo-hexopyranosyl]oxy]-ll-[[2,6-dideoxy- 3-C-methyl-3-O-methyl-4-O-[(phenylmethoxy)carbonyl]-a-L-n&0-hexopyranosyl]oxy]-15-ethyldecahydro-8-methox)^-4,6,8,10,12,15a-hexamethyl-3-[phenylthio]-2H-furo [2,3-c] oxacydotetradecin-2,5,13 (3H,6H)-trione; mixture of two diastereomers (V-3): According to example IC, cyclization of 150 mg IV-3 gave 69 mg of the desired product V-3 as a 3:1 mixture of two diastereomers: R/ 0.46 (CH3CN/CH2CI2/NH4OH 1:1:0.01). C] {3R or S, 3aR, AR or S, 6R, SR, 9R, 110S, US, 12R, 15R, 15aS)-9-[[2-0-Acetyl- 3,4,6-trideoxy-3-(dimethylamino)-β-D-xyZo-hexopyranosyl]oxy]-15- ethyidecahydro-ll-hydroxy-8-methoxy-4,6,8,10,12,15a-hexamethyl-3-[phenylthio]-2H-furo [2,3-c] oxacydotetradecin-2,5,13 (3H,6H)-trione; mixture of two diastereomers (VI-3): 70mg V-3 were cleaved according to example ID to give 32 mg of pure product VI-3 as a 3:1 mixure of two diastereomers. Rf 0.17 (CH3CN/CH2CI2/NH4OH 1:1:0.01). 1H-NMR (CDCl3) diagnostic signals only: Diastereomer 1; 1.47 (s, 3H), 2.08 (s, 3H), 2.26 (s, 6H), 2.88 (s, IH), 3.10 (s, 3H), 3.77 (d,lH), 4.85 (s, IH), 5.48 (dd, IH), 7.73 (m, 2H); diasteromer 2; 1.52 (s, 3H), 2,08 (s, 3H), 2.24 (s, 6H), 3.11 (s, 3HJ, 3.83 (d, IH), 4.44 (d, IH), 5.05 (dd, IH), 7.47 (m, 2H). D] (31? or S, 3aR, 4R or S, 6R, 8R, 9R, lOR, 12R, 15R, 15aS)-9-[[2-0-Acetyl-3,4,6- trideoxy-3-(dimethylamino)-β-D-xylo-hexopyranosyl]oxy]-15-ethyloctahydro-8- methoxy-4,6,8,10,12,15a-hexamethyl-3-[phenylthio]-2H-furo [2,3-c] oxacydotetradecin-2,5,11,13 (3H,6H,12H)-tetrone; (VII-3): 30 mg VI-3 were oxidized according to example IE to give 30 mg of the protected ketolide VII-3 as a 3:1 mixture of two diastereomers. Rf. 0.50 (CH3CN/CH2CI2/NH4OH 1:1:0.01). E] (3S, 3aR, 4R, 6R, 8R, 9R, lOR, 12R, 15R, 15aS)-15-Ethyloctahydro-8-methoxy- 4,6,8,10,12,15a-hexamethyl-3-[phenylthio]-9-[[3,4,6-trideoxy-3-(dimethylamino)- P-D-xylo-hexopyranosyl]oxy]-2H-furo [2,3-c] oxacyclotetradecin-2,5,11,13 (3H,6H,12H)-tetrone; (1-3): In analogy to example IF, 30 mg VII-3 were deprotected to give the desired product 1-3 (30 mg) as a single diastereomer. Rf. 0.43 (CH3CN/CH2CI2/NH4OH 1:1:0.01). MS(ISP): 720.5 (M+). 1H-NMR (CDCl3) diagnostic signals only: 0.93 (t, 3H), 1.09 (t, 3H), 1.13 (t, 3H), 1.26 (t, 3H), 1.34 (d, 3H), 1.35 (s, 3H), 1.40 (d, 3H), 1.52 (s, 3H), 2.27 (s, 6H), 2.82 (s, IH), 2.86 (s, 3H), 3.08 (q, IH), 3.10-3.22 (m, 2H), 3.57 (m, IH), 3.87 (q, IH), 4.30 (d, IH), 4.35 (d, IH), 4.62 (s, IH), 5.38 (dd, IH), 7.28-7.37 (m, 3H), 7.70 (dd, 2H). Example 4: Preparation of (3S, 3aR, 4R, 6R, SR, 9R, 10R, 12R, 15R, 15aS)-15-Ethyloctahydro-8-methoxy-4,6,8,10,12,15a-hexamethyl-3-[(phenylmethyl)thio]-9-[[3,4,6-trideoxy-3- (dimethylamino)-β-D-xylo-hexopyranosyl] oxy]-2H-furo [2,3-c] oxacyclotetradecin-2,5,11,13 (3H,6H,12H)-tetrone (1-4, compound of formula I, where R1 is [phenylmethyl]thio) A] (10E)-10,ll-Didehydro-ll-deoxy-6-O-methyl-erythromycin 2'-acetate 4"-(phenylmethyl carbonate) 12-[[(phenylmethyl)thio]acetate] (IV-4): In analogy to example IB, coupling of 500 mg 6 and 503 mg [(phenylmethyl)thio]-acetic acid gave 600 mg of the desired product rV-4. Rf. 0.71 (CH3CN/CH2CI2/NH4OH 1:1:0.01). ^H-NMR (CHCI3) diagnostic signals only: 1.60 (s, 3H), 1.86 (s, 3H), 2.02 (s, 3H), 2.23 (s, 6H), 2.99 (s, 2H), 3.17 (s, 3H), 3.33 (s, 3H), 3.78 (s, 2H), 4.37 (m, IH), 4.46 (d, IH), 4.77 (d, IH), 4.68 (dd, IH), 4.98 (d, IH), 5.13 (d, IH), 5.25 (d, IH), 5.77 (dd, IH), 6.64 (s, IH), 7.20-7.35 (m, 5H), 7.36 (s, 5H). B] (3S, 3aR, 4R, 6R, 8R, 9R, lOS, US, 121?, 15R, 15aS)-9-[[2-0-Acetyl-3,4,6- trideoxy-3-(dimethylainino)-β-D-xyloo-hexopyranosyl] oxy] -11-[ [2,6-dideoxy-3-C- methyl-3-0-niethyl-4-0-[(phenylmethoxy)carbonyl]-a-L-ribo-hexopyranosyl]oxy]-15-ethyldecahydro-8-methoxy-4,6,8,10,12,15a-hexainethyl-3-[(phenylmethyl)thio]-2H-furo [2,3-c] oxacyclotetradecm-2,5,13 (3H,6H)-trione; (V-4): 146 mg IV-4 were qrclized according to example IC to give 75 mg of the desired product V-4 as a single diastereomer. R/ 0.65 (CH3CN/CH2CI2/NH4OH 1:1:0.01). 'H-NMR (CHCI3) diagnostic signals only: 2.04 (s, 3H), 2.24 (s, 6H), 2.55 (s, IH), 3.05 (s, 3H), 3.33 (s, 3H), 4.05 (d, IH), 4.18 (d, IH), 4,31 (s, IH), 4.46 (d, IH), 4.62 (d, IH), 4.71 (dd, IH), 4.92 (d, IH), 5.12 (d, IH), 5.2 7(d, IH), 5.53 (dd, IH), 7.20-7.47 (m, 5H), 7.36 (s, 5H). C] (3S, 3aJ?, 4J^, 6R, 8R, 9R, IDS, US, 12R, 15R, 15aS)-9-[[2-0-Acetyl-3,4,6- trideoxy-3-(dimethylainino)-β-D-xylo-hexopyranosyl]oxy]-15-ethyldecahydro-ll- hydroxy-8-methoxy-4,6,8,10,12,15a-hexamethyl-3-[(phenylmetliyl)thio]-2H-fviro [2,3-c] oxaq^clotetradecin-2,5,13 (3H,6H)-trione; (VI-4): 75 mg V-4 were subjected to methanolysis as described in example ID to give 46 mg of product VI-4: R/. 0.33 (CH3CN/CH2CI2/NH4OH 1:1:0.01). ^H-NMR (CHCI3) diagnostic signals only: 0.86 (t, 3H), 0.96 (d, 3H), 1.44 (s, 3H), 2.07 (s, 3H), 2.26 (s, 6H), 2.66 (s, IH), 3.00 (s, 3H), 3.28 (m, 2H), 3.72 (d, IH), 4.08 (d, IH), 4.18 (d, IH), 4.41 (s, IH), 4.62 (d, IH), 4.77 (dd, IH), 5.64 (dd, IH), 7.21-7.47 (m, 5H). D] (3S, 3aJ?, 4R, 6R, SR, 9R, lOR, 12R, 15R, 15aS)-9-[[2-0-Acetyl-3,4,6-trideoxy-3- (dimethylamino)-β-D-x)/Zo-hexopyranosyl]oxy]-15-ethyloctahydro-8-methoxy-4,6,8,10,12,15a-hexamethyl-3-[(phenylmethyl)thio]-2H-furo [2,3-c] oxacyclotetradecin-2,5,11,13 (3H,6H,12H)-tetrone; (VII-4): 46 mg VI-4 -were oxidized as described in example IE to give 44 mg of VII-4. Rf. 0.61 (CH3CN/CH2CI2/NH4OH 1:1:0.01). 'H-NMR (CHCI3) diagnostic signals only: 0.88 (t, 3H), 1.03 (d, IH), 1.09 (d, 3H), 1.16 (d, 3H), 1.25 (d, 3H), 1.27 (s. 3H), 1.35 (d, 3H), 1.49 (s, 3H), 2.04 (s, 3H), 2.24 (s, 6H), 2.62 (s, IH), 2.75 (s, 3H), 3.37 (m, IH), 3.82 (q, IH), 4.03 (d, IH), 4.17 (d, IH), 4.21 (s, IH), 4.23 (d, IH), 4.41 (d, IH), 4.75 (dd, IH), 5.54 (dd, IH), 7.21-7.43 (m, 5H). E] (3S, 3aR, 4R, 6J^, SR, 9R, IQR, 12R, 15R, 15aS)-15-Ethyloctahydro-8-methoxy- 4,6,8,10,12,15a-hexamethyl-3-[(phenylmethyl)thio]-9-[[3,4,6-trideoxy-3- (dimethylamino)-β-D-xylo-hexopyranosyl]oxy] -2H-fiiro [2,3-c] oxacyclotetxadecin-2,5,11,13 (3H,6H,12H)-tetrone; (1-4): Final deprotection of 44 mg VII-4 was accomplished as described in example IF to give 39 mg of 1-4. R/ 0,47 (CH3CN/CH2CI2/NH4OH 1:1:0.01). MS (ISP): 734.4 (MH+). 1H-NMR (CHCI3) diagnostic signals only: 0.88 (t, 3H), 1.03 (d, 3H), 1.09 (d, 3H), 1.24 (d, 3H), 1.30 (s, 3H), 1.31 (d, 3H), 1.49 (s, 3H), 2,26 (s, 6H), 2.59 (s, IH), 2.75 (s, 3H), 3.57 (m, IH), 4.83 (q, IH), 4.02 (d, IH), 4.15 (d, IH), 4.18 (s, IH), 4.25 (d, IH), 4.33 (d, IH), 5.53 (dd, IH), 7.20-7.43 (m> 5H). Example 5: Preparation of (3S, 3aR, 4R, 6RR SR, 9R, lOR, 12R, 15J?, 15aS)-15-Ethyloctahydro-8-methoxy-4,6,8,10,12,15a-hexamethyl-3-[methylthio]-9-[[3,4,6-trideoxy-3- (dimethylamino)-β-D-xylo-hexopyranosyl] oxy] -IH-faro [2,3-cj oxacyclotetradecin-2,5,11,13 (3H,6H,12H)-tetrone; (1-5, compound of formula I, where Rr is methylthio) A] (10e)-10,ll-Didehydro-ll-deoxy-6-O-methyl-erythromycin 2'-acetate 4"- (phenylmethyl carbonate) 12-[[methylthio]acetate]; (IV-5): In analogy to example IB, 568 mg (100%) of the desired product IV-5 were obtained from 500 mg (552 μmol) 6 and 293 mg methylthioacetic add, R/ 0,7 (CH3CN/CH2CI2/NH4OH 1:1:0.01). 1H-NMR (CDCl3) diagnostic signals only: 1.20 (s, 3H), 1,61 (s, 3H), 2.00 (s, 3H), 2,16 (s, 3H), 2.23 (s, 6H), 3.13 (s, 2H), 3.16 (s, 3H), 3,32 (s, 3H), 4.35 (M, IH), 4.46 (d, IH), 4.57 (d, IH), 4.69 (dd, IH), 4,98 (d, IH), 5.13 (d, IH), 5.24 (d, IH), 5.74 (dd, IH), 6.63 (s, IH), 7.36 (s, 5H). B] (3R or S, 3aR, 4R or S, 6R, 8R, 9R, lOS, US, 12R, 15R, 15aS)-9-[[2-O-Acetyl- 3,4,6-trideoxy-3-(dimethylamino)-β-D-xylo-hexopyranosyl] oxy] -11- [ [2,6-dideoxy- 3-C-methyl-3-0-methyl-4-0- [(phenylmethoxy)carbonyl] -a-L-rzfoo-hexopyranosyl]oxy]-15-ethyldecahydro-8-methoxy-4,6,8,10,12,15a-hexamethyl-3-[methylthio]-2H-furo [2,3-c] oxacydotetradecin-2,5,13 (3H,6H)-trione; mixture of 2 diastereomers (V-5): In analogy to example IC, 300 mg IV-5 were treated with 453 μl KO^Bu solution (IM). 165 mg (55%) of product V-5 was obtained as a 9:1 mixture of two diastereomers, R/ 0.66 (CH3CN/CH2CI2/NH4OH 1:1:0.01). 1H-NMR (CDCl3) main product, diagnostic signals only: 2.04 (s, 3H), 2.24 (s, 6H), 2.42 (s, 3H), 2.53 (s JH), 3.07 (s, 3H), 3.34 (s, 3H), 4.26 (s, IH), 4.29 (m, IH), 4.47 (d, IH), 4.63 (d, IH), 4.72 (dd, IH), 4.94 (d, IH), 5.13 (d, IH), 5.26 (d, IH), 7.35 (s, 5H). C] (3R or S, 3aR, 4R or S, 6R, 8R, 9R, lOS, US, 12R, 15R, 15aS)-9-[[2-0-Acetyl- 3,4,6-trideoxy-3- (dimethylamino)- P-D-xylo-hexopyranosyl] oxy] -15- ethyldecahydro-1 l-hydroxy-8-methoxy-4,6,8,10,12,15a-hexamethyl-3-[methylthio]-2H-furo [2,3-c] oxaqrclotetradecin-2,5,13 (3H,6H)-trione; mixture of 2 diastereomers (VI-5): In analogy to example ID, 146 mg V-5 were treated with HCl in methanol to give 96 mg (93%) of the desired product VI-6 as a 9:1 mixture of diastereomers. Rf. 0.31 (CH3CN/CH2Cl2/NH4OH 1:1:0.01). 1H-NMR (CDCl3) main product, diagnostic signals only: 0.86 (t, 3H), 0.97 (d, 3H), 1.09 (2 d, 6H), 1.23 (d, 3H), 1.26 (s, 3H), 1.27 (d, 3H), 1.45 (s, 3H), 2.07 {3H), 2.26 (s, 6H), 2.43 (s, 3H), 2.65 (s, IH), 3.03 (s, 3H), 3.47 (m, 2H), 3.74 (d, 2H), 4.36 (s, IH), 4.63 (d, IH), 4.77 (dd, IH), 5.67 (dd, IH). D] (3S, 3aR, 4R, 6R, 8R, 9R, lOR, 12R, 15R, 15aS)-9-[[2-0-Acetyl-3,4,6-trideoxy-3- (dimethylainino)-β-D-xylo-hexopyranosyl] oxy] - 15-ethyloctahydro-8-methoxy- 4,6,8,10,12,15a-hexamethyl-3-[methylthio] -2H-furo [2,3-c] oxacydotetradecin- 2,5,11,13 (3H,6H,12H)-tetrone; (VII-5): In analogy to example IE, 90 mg (VI-5) were oxidized to give 87 mg of the protected ketolide VII-5. R/ 0.61 (CH3CN/CH2CI2/NH4OH 1:1:0.01). 1H-NMR (CDCl3) diagnostic signals only: 0.88 (t, 3H), 1.11 (d, 3H), 1.13 (d, 3H), 1.18 (d, 3H), 1.25 (d, 3H), 1.28 (s, 3H), 1.36 (d, 3H), 1.50 (s, 3H), 2.05 (s, 3H), 2.25 (s, 6H), 2.40 (s, 3H), 2.60 (s, IH), 2.76 (s, 3H), 2.98-3.18 (m, 2H), 3.57 (m, IH), 3.83 (q, IH), 4.18 (s, IH), 4.25 (d, IH), 4.41 (d, IH), 4.75 (dd, IH), 5.58 (dd, IH). E] (3S, 3aR, 4R, 6R, 8R, 9R, lOR, 12R, 15R, 15aS)-15-Ethyloctahydro-8-methoxy- 4,6,8,lb,12,15a-hexamethyl-3-[methylthiol-9-[[3,4,6-trideoxy-3-(dimethylamino)- P-D-xylo-hexopyranosyl]oxy]-2H-furo [2,3-c] oxacyclotetradedn-2,5,11,13 (3H,6H,12H)-tetrone; (1-5): Final deprotection of 87 mg (VII-5) was accomplished as described in example IF to give 66.4 mg (81 %) of 1-5 as a single diastereomer. MS (ISP): 658.2 (MH""). 1H-NMR (CDCl3) diagnostic signals only: 0.88 (t, 3H), 1.11 (d, 3H), 1.13 (d, 3H), 1.25 (d, 3H), 1.31 (s, 3H), 1.32 (d, 3H), 1.37 (d, 3H), 1.51 (s, 3H), 2.27 (s, 6H), 2.41 (s, 3H), 2.58 (s, IH), 2.77 (s, 3H), 3.03 (q, IH), 3.11 (m, IH), 3.19 (dd, IH), 3.58 (m, IH), 3.85 (q, IH), 4.16 (s, IH), 4.27 (d, IH), 4.33 (d, IH), 5.58 (dd, IH). A] [[2-Bromoethyl]thio] acetic acid methyl ester: [[2-Hydroxyethyl]thio]acetic acid methyl ester (3.39 g, 20 mmol), synthesized according to Ueda, Chem. Plmmi. Bull 1990,38, 3035-3041 and 6.29 g (20 mmol) triphenylphosphine were dissolved in 50 ml CH2CI2 and cooled to 0°C. Bromine (1.13 ml, 22 mmol) was added dropwise and the mixture was allowed to warm to room temperature. The solution was heated to reflux for 3 hours, cooled and quenched by slow addition of aqueous NaHCOa solution until the color disappeared. The organic phase was separated, dried (Na2SO4) and concentrated. The residual semisolid was triturated with hexanes, filtered and evaporated to give • an oil, that was distilled bulb to bulb to give 3.0 g of a colorless oil. Bp: 100 °C (0.3 mmHg). B] [[2-[2,4-(lH,3H)-PyTimidinedione-l-yl]ethyl]thio]acetic acid methyl ester: 3.36 g uracil and 2 mg (NH4)2SO4 were suspended in 25 ml hexamethyldisilazane with stirring and the mixture was heated to reflux for 3 hours. A clear solution resulted. This was concentated in vacuo and 75 ml dichloroethane, 5.33 g methyl [[2-bromoethyl]tliio]acetic acid methyl ester and 6.67 g trimethylsilyltrifloro-methanesxilfonate were added to the residue. The mixture was stirred at room temperature for 60 minutes and then kept at 60 °C for further 20 hours. The solution was diluted with dichloroethane, washed with aqueous NaHCOs and water, dried (Na2SO4) and evaporated. The residue was purified by flash chromatography (gradient of 0-10% ethanol in CH2Cl2) to give, after trituration with isopropyl ether and drying 4,2 g of a solid, Mp: 90°C. C] ] [[2-[2,4-(lH,3H)-Pyrimidinedione-l-yl]ethyl]thio]aceticacid: 4.0 g [[2-[2,4-(lH,3H)-pyrimidinedione-l-yl]ethyl]thio]acetic acid methyl ester was dissolved in THF (116 nol) and water (85 ml) and 3.15 g LiOH was added. The mixture was stirred at room temperature for 2 hours and THF was removed in vacuo. The pH was adjusted to 2-3 by addition of IN HCl and the solution was saturated with NaCl. The product was extracted into ethyl acetate and the organic extracts were dried and evaporated to give 2.6 g of a solid. This was recrystallized from ethanol to give 1.56 g of the desired product. Mp: 145oC. MS (EI): 230.1 (M+).1H-NMR (DMS0-rf6): 2.84 (t, 2H), 3.33 (s, 2H), 3.86 (t, 2H), 5.55 (dd, IH), 7.65 (d, IH), 11.25 (s, IH), 12.63 (s, IH). D] (10£)-10,ll"Didehydro-ll-deoxy-6-O-methyl-erythromycin 2'-acetate 4"- (phenylmethyl carbonate) 12-[[[2-[2,4-(lH,3H)-pyrimidinedione-l-yl]ethyl]- thio] acetate] ;(IV-6): Compound IV-6 was synthesized from 500 mg 6 and [[2-[2,4-lH,3H-pyrimidinedione-l-yl]ethyl]thio]-acetic acid as described in example IB except with the following difference: IV-6 and DMAP were dissolved in 15 ml CHaCl3/dioxane 1:1 and simultaneously, a solution of [[2-[2,4-(lH,3H)-pyrimidinedione-1-yl] ethyl] thio] acetic acid in 8.5 ml dioxane and a solution of DMAP in 8.5 ml CH2CI2 were added over 6 hours by means of a syringe pump. Yield: 355 mg (58%). R/ 0.36 (CHa3/MeOH/NH4OH 9:1:0.1). MS (ISP): 1118.5 (MH""). 1H-NMR (CDCl3) diagnostic signals only: 1.62 (s, 3H), 1.89 (s, 3H), 2.01 (s, 3H), 2.24 (s, 6H), 2.90 (t, 2H), 3.15 (s, 3H), 3.21 (s, 2H), 3.33 (s, 3H), 3.91 (t, 2H)> 3.36 (m, IH), 4.46 (d, IH), 4.57 (d, IH), 4.69 (dd, IH), 4.98 (d, IH), 5.14 (d, IH), 5.26 (d, IH), 5.69 (d, IH), 5.73 (dd, IH), 6.60 (dd, IH), 7.25 (d, IH), 7,36 (s, 5H), 8.48 (broad s,lH). E] (3S, 3aR, 4R, 6Ry 8R, 9R, lOS, 115,12R, 15R, 15aS)-9-[[2-O-Acetyl-3,4,6- trideoxy-3-(dimethylamino)-3-D-;xylo-hexopyranosyl]oxy]-ll-[[2,6-dideoxy-3-C- methyl-3-0-methyl-4-0-[(phenylmethoxy)carbonyl]-α-L-ribo-hexopyranosyl]oxy]-15-ethyldecah.ydro-8-methoxy-4,6,8,10,12,15a-hexamethyl-3-[ [2-[2,4-lH,3H-pyrimidinedione-1 -yl]ethyl]thio] -2H-furo [2,3-c] oxacyclotetradecin-2,5,13 (3H,6H)-trione; (V-6): Cyclization of 258 mg IV-6 was performed in DMF as described in example IC, except that KOeBu-solution was replaced with 30 mg NaH (dispersion 60%). This procedure gave 70 mg pure product V-6 as a single diastereomer. R/. 0.44 (CHCl3/MeOH/NH4OH 9:1:0.1). MS (ISP): 1118.5 (MH""). 1H-NMR (CDCl3) diagnostic signals only: 1.32 (s, 3H), 1.44 (s, 3H), 2.04 (s, 3H), 2.45 (s, 6H), 2.53 (s, IH), 3.01 (s, 3H), 3.33 (s, 3H), 4.36 (s, IH), 4.47 (d, IH), 4.63 (d, IH), 4.72 (dd, 1H),4.93 (d, IH), 5.12 (d, IH), 5.27 (d, IH), 5.41 (dd, IH), 5.62 (d, 1H),7.36 (s, 5H), 7.84 (d, IH), 8.38 (broad s, IH). F] (3S, 3aR,4R, 6R, 8R, 9R, lOS, US, 12R, 15R, 15aS)-9-[[2-0-Acetyl-3,4,6- trideoxy-3-(dimethylamino)-β-D-xylo-hexopyranosyl]oxy]-15-eth)ddecahydro-ll- hydroxy-8-methoxy-4,6,8,10,12,15a-hexamethyl-3- [ [2- [2,4- 1H,3H- pyrimidinedione-l-yl] ethyl] thio]-2H-furo [2,3-c] oxacydotetradecin-2,5,13 (3H,6H)-trione; (VI-6) 70 mg V-6 were cleaved according to example ID to give 43 mg VI-6. Rf 0.40 (ethyl acetate/methanol/NEt3 9:1:0.1). MS (ISP): 826.3 (MH"). 'H-NMR (CDCl3) diagnostic signals only: 0.85 (t, 3H), 0.97 (d, 3H), 0.12 (2 d, 6H), 1.27 (s, 3H), 1.47 (s, 3H), 2.07 (s, 3H), 2.26 (s, 6H), 2.63 (s, IH), 2.96 (s, 3H), 3.74 (d, IH), 3.89 (m, 1H),4.33 (dt, 1H),4.46 (1H),4.61 (d, 1H),4.77 (dd, IH), 5.50 (dd, IH), 5.60 (d, IH), 7.78 (d, IH), 8.55 (broad s, IH). G] (3S, 3zR, 4R, 6R, 8R, 9R, 10R, UR, 15R, 15aS)-9-[[2-0-Acetyl-3,4,6-trideoxy-3- (dimethylamino)-|3-D-xylo-hexopyranosyl]oxy]-15-ethyloctahydro-8-methoxy- 4,6,8,10,12,15a-hexamethyl-3-[[2-[2,4-lH,3H-pyrimidinedione-l-yl]ethyl]thio]- 2H-furo [2,3-c] oxacyclotetradecin-2,5,11,13 (3H,6H,12H)-tetrone; (VII-6): Oxidation of 43 mg VI-6 was done as described in example IE to give 37 mg of protected ketolide VII-6. R/ 0.35 (CHCl3/MeOH/NH4OH 9:1:0.1). MS (ISP): 824.2 (MH+). 'H-NMR (CDCl3) diagnostic signals only: 0.87 (t. 3H), 1.29 (s, 3H), 1.35 (d, 3H), 1.52 (s, 3H), 2.04 (s, 3H), 2.25 (s, 6H), 2.61 (s, IH), 2.69 (s, 3H), 3.45 (dt, IH), 3.57 (m, IH), 3.82 (q, IH), 3.83 (m, IH), 4.27 (d, IH), 4.28 (s, IH), 4.33 (m, IH), 4.41 (d, IH), 4.76 (dd, IH), 5.42 (dd, IH), 5.61 (d, IH), 7.80 (d, IH), 8.53 (bro.ad s, IH). H] (3S, 3aR,4R, 6R, SR, 9R, lOR, 12R, 15R, 15aS)-15-Ethyloctahydro-8-methoxy-4,6,8,10,12,15a-hexamethyl-3-[[2-[2,4-lH,3H-pyrmidinedione-l-yl]ethyl]thio]-9- [[3,4,6-trideoxy-3-(diinethylamino)-β-D-xylo-hexopyranosyl]oxy]-2if-furo [2,3-c] oxactclotetradecin-2,5,ll,13 (3H,6H,12H)-tetrone; (1-6): In analogy to example IF, final deprotection of 37 mg VII-6 gave 35 mg pure 1-6. MS (ISP): 782.2 (MH+). 'H-NMR (CDCl3) diagnostic signals only: 0.88 (t, 3H), 1.14 (2d, 6H), 1.27 (d, 3H), 1.31 (s, 3H), 1.32 (d, 3H), 1.36 (d, 3H), 1.53 (s, 3H), 2.27 (s, 6H), 2.59 (s, IH), 2.70 (s, 3H), 3.46 (dt, IH), 3.46-3.62 (m, 2H), 3.84 (q, IH), 3,84 (m, IH), 4.27 (s, IH), 4.28 (d, IH), 4.34 (d, IH), 4.27-4.40 (m, IH), 5.41 (dd, IH), 5.61 (d, IH), 7.81 (d, IH), 8.51 (broad s, IH). Example 7: Preparation of (3S, 3aR, 4R, 6R, BR, 9R, 10R, UR, 15R, 15aS)-15-Ethyloctahydro-8-methoxy-4,6,8,10,12,15a-hexamethyl-3- [ [2- [5-methyl-2,4-lH,3H- pyrimidinedione-1 -yl] ethyl] thio] -9- [ [3,4,6-trideoxy-3- (dimethylamino)-β-D-xylo-hexopyranosyl]oxy]-2H-furo [2,3-c] oxacyclotetradecin-2,5,11,13 (3H,6H,12H)-tetrone; (1-7, compound of formula I, where R1 is [2-[5-methyl-2,4-lH,3H-pyrimidinedione-1 -yl] ethyl] thio) A] [[2-[5-Methyl-2,4-(lH,3H)-pyrimidinedione-l-yl]ethyl]thio]acetic acid methyl ester was synthesized from thymine and [[2-bromoethyl]thio] acetic acid methyl ester as described in example 6A. Mp: 75°C (diisopropyl ether). B] [[2-[5-Methyl-2,4-(lH,3H)-pyriniidinedione-l-yl]ethyl]thio]acetic acid: Was obtained according to example 6B from [[2-[2,4-(lH,3H)-5-methyl-pyrimidinedione-1-yl] ethyl] thio]acetic acid methyl ester. Mp: 164°C (ethanol). MS (EI): 244.1 (M^). 'H-NMR (DMS0-d6): 1.75 (s, 3H), 2.83 (t, 2H), 3.33 (s, 2H), 3.82 (t,2H),7.53 (s, IH), 11.25 (s, IH), 12.64 (s, IH). C] (10£)-10,ll-Didehydro-ll-deoxy-6-O-methyl-erythromycin 2'-acetate 4"- (phenylmethyl carbonate) 12-[ [ [2-[5-methyl-2,4-lH,3H-pyrimidinedione-l- yl] ethyl] thio] acetate]; (IV-7): Compound IV-7 was synthesized from 500 mg 6 and 404 mg [[2-[5-methyl-2,4-(lH,3H)-pyrimidinedione-l-yl]ethyl]thio]acetic acid as described in example 6D. Yield: 334 mg (53%). Rf. 0.61 (CHCl3/MeOH/NH40H 9:1:0.1). MS (ISP): 1132.3 (MH^). 1H-NMR (CDCl3) diagnostic signals only: 11.20 (s, 3H), 1.62 (s, 3H), 1.89 (s, 3H), 1.93 (s, 3H), 2.00 (s, 3H), 2.23 (s, 6H), 2.88 (t, 2H), 3.15 (s, 3H), 3.22 (s" 2H), 3.33 (s, 3H), 3.87 (t, 2H), 4.37 (m, IH), 4.47 (d, IH), 4.56 (d, IH), 4.68 (dd. IH), 4.98 (d, IH), 5.13 (d, IH), 5.26 (d, IH), 5.73 (dd, IH), 6.62 (s, IH), 7.07 (s, IH), 7.36 (s, 5H), 8.48 (broad s, IH). D] (3S, 3aR, 4R, 6R, SR, 9R, lOS, US, 12R, 15R, 15aS)-9-[[2-0-Acetyl-3,4,6- trideoxy-3-(dimethylaniino)-β-D-xylo-liexopyranosyl] oxy] -11- [ [2,6-dideoxy-3-C- methyl-3-0-methyl-4-0- [(phenylmetlioxy)carbonyl] -a-L-ribo-hexopyranosyl]oxy]-15-ethyldecahydro-8-methoxy-4,6,8,10,12,15a-hexamethyl-3-[[2-[5-methyl-2,4-lH,3H-pyrimidinedione-l-yl]ethyl]thio]-2H-furo [2,3-c] oxacydotetradecin-2,5,13 (3H,6H)-trione; (V-7): Cyclization was done as described in example IC using 180 mg rV-7 and 400 ml KO'Bu in 6 ml DMRTield: 61 mg (30%). Rf. 0.69 (CHCl3/MeOH/NH40H 9:1:0.1). 1H-NMR (CDCl3) diagnostic signals only: 1.45 (s, 3H), 1.98 (s, 3H), 2.04 (s, 3H), 2.24 (s, 6H), 2.55 (s, IH), 2.98 (s, 3H), 3.33 (s, 3H), 4.92 (d, IH), 5.12 (d, IH), 5.27 (d, IH), 5.48 (dd, IH), 7.35 (s, 5H), 7.66 (s, IH), 8.31 (broad s, IH). E] (3S, 3aR, 4JR, 6R, 8R, 9R, lOS, US, 12R, 15R, 15aS)-9-[[2-0-Acetyl-3,4,6- trideoxy-3- (dimethylamino)-β-D-xylo-hexopyranosyl] oxy] -15-ethyldecahydro-11- hydroxy-8-methoxy-4^6,8,10,12,15a-hexamethyl-3-[[2-[5-methyl-2,4-lH,3H-pyrimidinedione-l-yl]ethyl]thio]-2H-furo [2,3-c] oxacyclotetradecin-2,5,13 (3H,6H)-trione; (VI-7): 61 mg V-7 were cleaved in 10 ml methanol containing 3% HCl according to example ID to give 27 mg of VI-7. Rf. 0.21 (CHCl3/MeOH/NH4OH 9:1:0.1). MS (ISP): 840.1 (MH+). 1H-NMR (CDCl3) diagnostic signals only: 0.85 (t, 3H), 0.97 (d, 3H), 1.47 (s, 3H), 1.96 (s, 3H), 2.07 (s, 3H), 2.64 (s, IH), 2.92 (s, 3H), 3.73 (d, IH), 3.83 (m, IH), 4.29 (dt, 1H),4.50 (s, 1H),4.63 (d, 1H),4.77 (dd, IH), 5.58 (dd, IH), 7.64 (s, IH), 8.60 (broad s, IH). F] (3S, 3aE, 4R, 6R, 8R, 9R, lOR, 12R, 15R, 15aS)-9-[[2-0-Acetyl-3,4,6-trideoxy-3- (dimethylamino)-β-D-xylo-hexopyranosyl]oxy]-15-ethyloctahydro-8-methoxy-4,6,8,10,12,15a-hexamethyl-3-[ [2-[5-methyl-2,4-lH,3H-pyrimidinedione-1-yl]ethyl]thio]-2H-furo [2,3-c] oxacyclotetradecin-2,5,11,13 (3H,6H,12H)-tetrone; (VII-7): In analogy to example IE, oxidation of 27 mg VI-7 gave 27 mg (100%) of VII-7. Rf. 0.51 (CHCl3/MeOH/NH40H 9:1:0.1). MS (ISP): 838.5 (MH+). 1H-NMR (CDCl3) diagnostic signals only: 0.88 (t, 3H), 1.28 (s, 3H), 1.53 (s, 3H), 1.96 (s, 3H), 2.04 (s, 3H), 2.25 (s, 6H), 2.60 (s, IH), 2.67 (s, 3H), 4.42 (dt, IH), 3.57 (m, IH), 3.79 (A, IH), 3.83 (q, IH), 4.27 (d, IH), 4.29 (m, IH), 4.33 (s, IH), 4.42 (d, IH), 4.75 (dd, IH), 5.51 (dd, IH), 7.60 (s, IH), 8.52 (broad s, IH). G] (3S, 3aR, 4R, 6R, 8R, 9R, 10R, 12R, 15R, 15aS)-15-Ethyloctahydro-8-methoxy-4,6,8,10,12,15a-liexamethyl-3-[[2-[5-methyl-2,4-lH,3H-pyrimidinedione-l- yl] ethyl] thio] -9- [ [3,4,6-trideoxy-3-(diniethylamino)-β-D-xylo-hexopyranosyl]oxy]-2H-furo [2,3-c] oxacydotetradecin-2,5,11,13 (3H,6H,12H)-tetrone; (1-7): Deprotection of 28 mg VII-7 in 10 ml methanol gave 19.4 mg of 1-7. Rf. 0.36 (acetone/NH4OH 99:1). MS (ISP): 796.4 (MH+). 1H-NMR (CDCl3) diagnostic signals only: 0.86 (t, 3H), 0.15 (2 d, 6H), 1.53 (s, 3H), 1.96 (s, 3H), 2.31 (s, 6H), 2.59 (s, IH), 2.68 (s, 3H), 3.21 (dd, IH), 3.42 (dt, IH), 3.58 (m, IH), 3.79 (m, IH), 3.86 (q, IH), 4.20-4.38 (m, 4H), 5.49 (dd, IH), 7.60 (s, IH), 8.42 (broad s, IH). Example 8: Preparation of (3S, 3zR, 4R, 6R, 8R, 9R, 10R, 12R, 15R, 15aS)-15-Ethyloctahydro-8-methoxy-4,6,8,10,12,15a-hexamethyI-3-[[2-[quinoline-2-yl]ethyl]thio]-9-[[3,4,6- trideoxy-3-(dimethylamino)-β-D-xylo-hexopyranosyl] oxy]-2H-furo [2,3-c] oxacyclotetradecin-2,5,11,13 (3H,6H,12H)-tetrone; (1-8, compound of formula I, where R' is [2-(quinoline-2-yl)ethyl]thio) A] [[2-(Quinoline-2-yl)ethyl]thio]acetic acid: This compound was prepared in analogy to a procedure by Itichev et al, J, Org. Chem. USSR 1971,7,2511 from 2-vinylquinoline and thioglycolic acid. MS (ISP): 248.2 (MH""). B] (10£)-10,ll-Didehydro-ll-deoxy-6-O-methyl-erythromycin 2'-acetate 4"- (phenylmethyl carbonate) 12-[[[2-(quinoline-2-yl)ethyl]thio]acetate] (IV-8): According to example IB, rV-8 was obtained from 400 mg 6 and 328 mg [ [2-(quinoline-2-yl)-ethyl]thio]acetic acid. Yield: 477 mg. Rf. 0.61 (CH3CN/CH2CI2/NH4OH 1:1:0.01). 1H-NMR (CDCl3) diagnostic signals only: 1.88 (s, 3H), 2.00 (s, 3H), 2.23 (s, 6H), 3.16 (s, 3H), 3.32 (s, 3H), 4.37 (m, IH), 4.46 (d, IH), 4.56 (d, IH), 4.69 (dd, IH), 4.98 (d, IH), 5.13 (d, IH), 5.25 (d, IH), 5.73 (dd, IH), 6.62 (s, IH), 7.30 (d, IH), 7.35 (s, 5H), 7.50 (t, IH), 7.69 (td, IH), 7.80 (d, IH), 8.03 (d,lH), 8.1 l(d,lH). C] (3S, 3aJ?, 4R, 6R, 8R, 9R, lOS, llS, 12R, 15R, 15aS)-9-[[2-0-Acetyl-3,4,6- trideoxy-3-(dimethylamino)-β-D-xyl o-hexopyranosyl]oxy]-ll-[[2,6-dideoxy-3-C- methyl-3-O-methyl-4-O-[(phenylmethoxy)carbonyl]-a-L-n&0-hexopyranosyl]oxy]-15-ethyldecahydro-8-methoxy-4,6,8,10,12,15a-hexamethyl-3-[[2-(quinoline-2-yl)ethyl]thio]-2H-ftiro [2,3-c] oxacyclotetradecin-2,5,13 (3H,6H)-trione; (V-8): Cyclization was performed as described in example IC with 477 mg IV-8 to give 104 mg of V-8. Rf. 0.66 (CH3CN/CH2CI2/NH4OH 1:1:0.01). D] (3S, 3aR, 4R, 6R, 8R, 9R, lOS, US, 12R, 15R, 15aS)-9-[[2-0-Acetyl-3,4,6- trideoxy-3-(dimethylamino)-β-D-xylo-hexopyranosyl]oxy]-15-ethyldecahydro-ll- hydroxy-8-methoxy-4,6,8,10,12,15a-hexamethyl-3-[[2-(quinoline-2-yl)ethyl]thio]-2H-furo [2,3-c] oxacyclotetradecin-2,5,13 (3H,6H)-trione; (VI-8): According to example ID, 104 mg V-8 were cleaved in 15 ml methanol containing 3% HCl to give 67 mg (87%) of VI-8. R/ 0.20 (ethyl acetate/methanol/NEts 9:1:0.1). 1H-NMR (CDCls) diagnostic signals only: 2.07 (s, 3H), 2.26 (s, 6H), 2.69 (s, IH), 2.92 (s, 3H), 3.73 (d, IH), 4.61 (s, IH), 4.64 (d, IH), (s, IH), 4.77 (dd, IH), 5.59 (dd, IH), 7.48 (t, IH), 7.51 (d, IH), 7.68 (td, IH), 7.78 (d, IH), 8.03 (d, IH), 8.06 (d, IH). E] (3S, 3aJ?, 4R, 6R, 8R, 9R, lOR, 12R, 15R, 15aS)-9-[[2-0-Acetyl-3,4,6-trideoxy-3- (dimethylamino)-β-D-x)'Zo-hexopyranosyl]oxy]-15-ethyloctahydro-8-methoxy- 4,6,8,10,12,15a-hexamethyl-3-[[2-[quinoline-2-yl]ethyl]thio]-2H-furo [2,3-c] oxacydotetradecm-2,5,11,13 (3H,6H,12H)-tetrone; (VII-S): 67 mg VI-8 were oxidized according to example IE to give 65 mg of the desired ketolide VII-8. R/ 0.27 (ethyl acetate/methanol/NEts 9:1:0.1). MS (ISP): 841.3 (MH^), 421.5 ([MHa]^). F] (3S, 3aR, 4R, 6Ry SR, 9R, lOR, 12R, 15R, 15aS)-15-Ethyloctahydro-8-methoxy- 4,6,8,10,12,15a-hexamethyl-3-[[2-[quinoline-2-yl]ethyl]thio]-9-[[3,4,6-trideoxy-3- (dimethylamino)-β-D-:x7Zo-hexopyranosyl]oxy]-2H-fiiro [2,3-c] oxacyclotetradecin-2,5,11,13 (3H,6H,12H)-tetrone; (1-8): Deprotection was done according to example IF from 65 mg VII-8 to give 26 mg of the desired ketolide 1-8. MS (ISP): 799.4 (MH*), 400.8 ([MHj]"^). 1H-NMR (CDCl3) diagnostic signals only: 0.86 (t, 3H), 1.51 (s, 3H), 2.27 (s, 6H), 2.63 (s, IH), 2.65 (s, 3H), 3.83 (q, IH), 4.25 (d, IH), 4.33 (d, IH), 4.41 (s, IH), 5.50 (dd, IH), 7.46 (t, IH), 7.49 (d, IH), 7.68 (td, IH), 7.77 (d, IH), 8.03 (d, IH), 8.05 (d, IH). Diisopropylazodicarboxylate (9.8 ml, 51 nunol) was added dropwise to a solution of 13.3 g (51 mmol) triphenylphosphine in 125 ml THF kept at 0°C. The mixture was stirred for 30 minutes and then a solution of 3.47 g (25 nunol) 4-pyridinepropanol and 3.6 ml (51 mmol) thioacetic acid in 50 mi THF was added. Stirring was continued for 12 hours and the mixture was allowed to warm to room temperature. The yellow solution is concentrated in vacuo and the residue is purified by flash chromatography (ethyl acetate/hexanes 1:1) to give 3.2 g (65%) of the desired product as yellow liquid. R/ 0.20 (ethyl acetate/hexanes 1:1). B] [3-[(4-Pyridinyl)propyl]thio]acetic acid ethyl ester: Ethanethioic acid, S-[3-(4-pyridyl)-propyl] ester (3.2 g, 16.4 mmol) was dissolved in 50 ml ethanol and 620 mg (16.4 mmol) NaBH4 was added in one portion. The mixture was stirred at room temperature overnight and then 377 mg (17.4 mmol) NaOEt and 1.81 ml (16.4 mmol) ethyl bromoacetate were added. Stirring was continued until TLC analysis showed the presence of a single product. Water was added and the mixture was extracted with ethyl acetate. The organic layer was washed with brine, dried (Na2SO4) and evaprated to give 3.4 g (87%) of a crude product that was used without further purification. C] [[3-(4-Pyridinyl)propyl]thio] acetic acid 3.4 g (14.3 mmol) [[3-(4-pyridyl)propyl]thio]-acetic acid ethyl ester were dissolved in dioxane (40 ml) and 7.9 ml (15.05 mmol) of 2N NaOH were added. The mixture was stirred at room temperature for 12 hours and then neutralized with 7.9 ml (15.1 mmol) 2N HCl. Water was added and the aqueous phase was extracted continually with ethyl acetate to give after removal of the solvent 704 mg (23%) of the desired product as a white powder. MS (EI): 212.2 (MH+). D] (10£)-10,ll-Didehydro-ll-deoxy-6-O-methyl-erythromycin 2'-acetate 4"- (phenylmethyl carbonate) 12-[[[3-(4-pyridinyl)propyl]thio]acetate]; (IV-9): Coupling of 400 mg 6 and 210 mg [ [3-(4-pyridinyl)propyl]thio] acetic acid gave 413 mg of the desired compound W-9. % 0.26 (CH3CN/CH2CI2/NH4OH 1:1:0.1). 1H-NMR (CDCl3) diagnostic signals only: 1.88 (s, 3H), 2.00 (s, 3H), 2.23 (s, 6H), 2.60 (t, 2H), 2.70 (t, 2H), 3.15 (s, 2H), 3.16 (s, 3H), 3.33 (s, 3H), 4.36 (m, IH), 4.47 (d, IH), 4.56 (d, IH), 4.68 (dd, IH), 4.98 (dd, IH), 5.13 (d, IH), 5.26 (d, IH), 5.73 (dd, IH), 6.62 (m, 2H), 7.36 (s, 5H), 8.51 (m, 2H). E] (3S, 3aR, 4R, 6R, 8R, 9R, lOS, US, 12R, 15R, 15aS)-9-[[2-0-Acetyl-3,4,6- trideoxy-3-(dimethylanaino)-β-D-xcZo-hexopyranosyl] oxy] -11- [ [2,6-dideoxy-3-C- methyl-3-0-methyl-4-0-[(phenylmethoxy)carbonyl]-α-L-ribo-hexopyranosyl]oxy]-15-ethyldecahydro-8-methoxy-4,6,8.10,12,15a-hexamethyl-3-[[3-(4-pyridinyl)propyl]thio]-2H-furo [2,3-c] oxacyclotetradecin-2,5,13 (3H,6H)-trione; (V-9): According to example IC, cyclization of 413 mg IV-9 gave 88 mg of V-9 as a single diastereomer. R/. 0.12 (CH3CN/CH2CI2/NH4OH 1:1:0.1). MS (ISP): 1099.5 (MH++), 550.6 ([MH2]++). 1H-NMR (CDCl3) diagnostic signals only: 2.06 (s, 3H), 2.24 (s, 6H), 2.56 (s, IH), 3.09 (s, 3H), 3.34 (s, 3H), 3.57 (d, IH), 3.65 (m, IH), 3.79 (d, IH), 4.29 (m, 1H),4.38 (s, IH), 4.47 (d, IH), 4.63 (d, IH), 4.73 (dd, IH), 4.95 (d, IH), 5.12 (d, IH), 5.26 (d, IH), 5.48 (dd, IH), 7.22 (m, 2H), 7.37 (s, 5H), 8.51 (m, 2H). F] (3S, 3aR, 4R, 6R, 8R, 9R, lOS, US, 12R, 15R, 15aS)-9-[[2-0-Acetyl-3,4,6- trideoxy-3-(dimethylamino)-β-D-xylo-hexopyranosyl] oxy] - 15-ethyldecahydro-11-hydroxy-8-methoxy-4,6,8,10,12,15a-hexamethyl-3-[[3-(4-pyridinyl)propyl]thio]-2H-furo [2,3-c] oxacyclotetradecin-2,5,13 (3H,6H)-trione; (VI-9): According to example ID, 200 mg V-9 were subjected to methanolysis to give 109 mg VI-9 as a single diastereomer. Rf. 0.43 (CHCl3/MeOH/NH4OH 9:1:0.1). MS" (ISP): 807.4 (MH+), 404.8 ([MHz]++). 1H-NMR (CDCl3) diagnostic signals only: 0.86 (t, 3H), 0.98 (d, 3H), 1.10 (d, 3H), 1.12 (d, 3H), 1.23 (d, 3H), 1.26 (s, 3H), 1.27 (d, 3H), 1.46 (s, 3H), 2.09 (s, 3H), 2.26 (s, 6H), 2.67 (s, IH), 3.03 (s, 3H), 3.49 (m, 2H), 3.74 (d, IH), 4.48 (s, IH), 4.65 (d, IH), 4.77 (dd, IH), 5.59 (dd, IH), 7.21 (m, 2H), 8.49 (m, 2H). G] (3S, 3aR, 4R, 6R, SR, 9R, lOR, 12R, 15R, 15aS)-9-[[2-0-Acetyl-3,4,6-trideoxy-3- (dimethylamino)-β-D-xylo-hexopyranosyl] oxy] -15-ethyloctahydro-8-methoxy- 4,6,8,10,12,15a-hexamethyl-3-[[3-(4-pyridinyl)propyl]thio]-2H-furo [2,3-c] oxacyclotetradecin-2,5,11,13 (3H,6H,12H)-tetrone; (VII-9): 100 mg VI-9 were oxidized according to example IE to give 59 mg of the protected ketolide Vn-9 as a single dxastereomer. R/ 0.60 (CHCls/MeOH/NHiOH 9:1:0.1). MS (ISP): 805.4 (MH+), 403.8 ([MHz]+). 1H-NMR (CDCl3) diagnostic signals only: 0.89 (t, 3H), 1.12 (d, 3H), 1.17 (d, 3H), 1.19 (d, 3H), 1.29 (s, 3H), 1.39 (d, 3H), 1.51 (s, 3H), 2.07 (s, 3H), 2.25 (s, 6H), 2.61 (s, IH), 2.78 (s, 3H), 3.56 (m, IH), 3.85 (q, IH), 4.24 (d, IH), 4.28 (s, IH), 4.40 (d, IH), 4.75 (dd, IH), 5.51 (dd, IH), 7.20 (m, 2H), 8.50 (m, 2H). H] (3S, 3aR, 4R, 6R, SR, 9R, 10R, 12R, 15R, 15aS)-15-Ethyloctahydro-8-methoxy-4,6,8,10,12,15a-hexamethyl-3-[[3-(4-pyridmyl)propyl]thio]-9-[[3,4,6-trideoxy-3- (dimethylamino)-β-D-xylo-hexopyranosyl]oxy] -2H-furo [2,3-c] oxacyclotetradecin-2,5,11,13 (3H,6H,12H)-tetrone; (1-9): In analogy to example IF, 59 mg VII-9 were deprotected to give 1-9 as a single diastereomer. Rf. 0.10 (CHCl3/MeOH/NH4OH 9:1:0.1). MS (ISP): 763.3 (MH""), 382.3 ([MH2]++). 1H-NMR (CDCl3) diagnostic signals only: 0.89 (t, 3H), 1.12 (d, 3H), 1.14 (d, 3H), 1.25 (d, 3H), 1.32 (s, 3H), 1.33 (d, 3H), 1.39 (d, 3H), 1.51 (s, 3H), 2.07 (m, 2H), 2.27 (s, 6H), 2.63 (s, IH), 2.79 (s, 3H), 3.57 (m, IH), 3.87 (q, IH), 4.27 (s, IH), 4.28 (d, IH), 4.33 (d, IH), 5.50 (dd, IH), 7.18 (m, 2H), 8.49 (m, 2H). Example 10: Preparation of (3S, 3aR, AR, 6R, 8JR, 9R, 10R, 12R, 15R, 15aS)-15-Ethyloctahydro-8-methoxy-4,6,8,10,12,15a-hexamethyl-3-[[3-(2-pyridinyl)propyl]thio]-9-[[3,4,6- trideoxy-3-(dimethylamino)-β-D-xylo-hexopyranosyl]oxy]-2H-furo [2,3-c] oxacyclotetradecin-2,5,11,13 (3H,6H,12H)-tetrone; (I-10, compound of formula I, where R' is [3-(2-pyridinyl)propyl]thio) A] [[3-(2-Pyridinyl)propyl]thio] acetic acid was synthesized according to example 9 (steps A to C) from 2-pyridinepropanol. MS (EI): 212.2 (MH+). B] (10£)-10,ll-Didehydro-ll-deoxy-6-O-methyl-erytjromycin 2'-acetate 4- (phenyimethyl carbonate) 12-[[[3-(2-pyridinyl)propyl]tluo]acetate]; (IV-lG): In analogy to example IB, coupling of 300 mg 6 and 210 mg [ [3-(2-pyridinyl)propyl]thio] acetic acid gave 319 nag of the desired product IV-lG. R/ 0.35 (CH3CN/CH2CI2/NH4OH 1:1:0.01). 'H-NMR (CDCl3) diagnostic signals only: 1.58 (s, 3H), 1.86 (s, 3H), 2.00 (s, 3H), 2.03 (m, 2H), 2.23 (s, 6H), 2.63 (t, 2H), 2.87 (t, 2H), 3.16 (s, 5H), 3.32 (s, 3H), 4.38 (m, IH), 4.46 (d, IH), 4.57 (d, 1H),4.68 (dd, IH), 5.98 (d, IH), 5.13 (d, IH), 5.26 (d, IH), 5.73 (dd, IH), 6.62 (s, IH), 7.07-7.19 (m,2H), 7.35 (s, 5H), 7.60 (td, IH), 8.52 (d, IH). C] (3S, 3aR, 4R, 6R, 8R, 9R, lOS, llS, 12R, 15R, 15aS)-9-[[2-0-Acetyl-3,4,6- trideoxy-3-(dimethylamino)-β-D-xylo-hexopyranosyl]oxy]-ll-[[2,6-dideoxy-3-C- methyl-3-0-niethyl-4-0- [(phenylmethoxy)carbonyl] -α-L-rib-hexopyranosyl]oxy]-15-ethyldecahydro-8-methoxy-4,6,8,10,12,15a-hexamethyl-3-[[3-(2-pyridinyl)propyl]thio]-2H-fiiro [2,3-c] oxacydotetradecin-2,5,13 (3H,6H)-trione; (V-10) In analogy to example IC, 319 mg IV-10 were cydized using 435 jil KO^Bu to give 158 mg V-10 as a single diastereomer. R/ 0.39 (CH3CN/CH2CI2/NH4OH 1:1:0.01). 1H-NMR (CDCl3) diagnostic signals only: 2.05 (s, 3H), 2.25 (s, 6H), 2.58 (s, IH), 3.10 (s, 3H), 3.34 (s, 3H), 4.30 (m, IH), 4.38 (s, IH), 4.46 (d, IH), 4.63 (d, IH), 4.72 (dd, IH), 4.96 (d, IH), 5.13 (d, IH), 5.27 (d, IH), 5.52 (dd, IH), 7.10 (m, IH), 7.26 (m, IH), 7.35 (s, 5H), 7.60 (td, IH), 8.52 (d, IH). D] (3S, 3aR, 4R, 6R, 8R, 9R, lOS, US, 12R, 15R, 15aS)-9-[[2-0-Acetyl-3,4,6- trideoxy- 3- (dimethylamino) - p-D-xylo-hexopyranosyl] oxy] -15- ethyldecahydro-11- hydroxy-8-methoxy-4,6,8,10,12,15a-hexamethyl-3- [ [3-(2-pyridinyl)propyl]tliio] -2H-furo [2,3-c] oxacydotetradecin-2,5,13 (3h,6H)-trione; (VI-10) In analogy to example ID, 158 mg V-10 were subjected to methanolysis. 94 mg of VI-IG were obtained as a single diasteromer. Rf. 0.41 (CHCl3/MeOH/NH40H 9:1:0.1). MS (ISP): 807.3 (MH++), 404.8 ([MH2]++). 'H-NMR (CDCl3) diagnostic signals only: 0.86 (t, 3H), 0.98 (d, 3H), 1.09 (2 overlapping d, 6H), 1.49 (s, 3H), 2.07 (s, 3H), 2.26 (s, 6H), 2.69 (s, IH), 3.05 (s, 3H), 3.77 (d, IH), 4.47 (s, IH), 4.66 (d, 1H),4,77 (dd, IH), 5.62 (dd, IH), 7.10 (m, IH), 7.26 (d, IH), 7.60 (td, IH), 8.52 (d, IH). E] (3S, 3aR, 4R, 6R, 8R, 9R, 10R, UR, 15R, 15aS)-9-[[2-O-Acetyl-3,4,6-trideoxf-3- (dimethylamino)-β-D-xylo-hexopyranosyl]oxy]-15-ethyloctahydro-8-methoxy- 4,6,8,10,12,15a-hexamethyl-3-[[3-(2-pyridinyl)propyl]thio]-2H-fiiro[2,3-c] oxacyclotetradecin-2,5,11,13 (3H,6H,12H)-tetrone; (VII-10): 94 mg VI-10 were oxidized according to example IE to give 62 mg of VII-10. Rf /. 0.59 (CHCl3/MeOH/NH40H 9:1:0.1). MS (ISP): 803.2 (MH+). 1H-NMR (CDCl3) diagnostic signals only: 0.88 (t, IH), 1.10 (d, 3H), 1.13 (d, 3H), 1.18 (d, 3H), 1.25 (d, 3H), 1.29 (s, 3H), 1.37 (d, 3H), 1.50 (s, 3H), 2.05 (s, 3H), 2.25 (s, 6H), 2.64 (s, IH), 2.79 (s, 3H), 3.57 (m, IH), 3.83 (q, IH), 4.27 (d, IH), 4.29 (s, IH), 4.41 (d, IH), 4.76 (dd, IH), 5.53 (dd, IH), 7.08 (m, IH), 7.22 (d, IH), 7.59 (td, IH), 8.52 (d, IH). F] (3S, 3al?, 4R, 6R, 8R, 9R, 10R, 12R, 15R, 15aS)-15-Ethyloctahydro-8-methoxy-4,6,8,10,12,15a-hexamethyl-3-[ [3-(2-pyTidinyl)propyl] thio]-9-[ [ 3,4,6-trideoxy-3- (dimethylaniino)-β-D-xylo-hexopyranosyl]oxy]-2H-furo [2,3-c] oxacyclotetradecin-2,5,11,13 (3H,6H,12H)-tetrone; (MO): According to example IF, 62 mg VII-IO were deprotected to give 52 mg of the desired ketoHde I-IO. R/ 0.10 (CHCl3/MeOH/NH4OH 9:1:0.1). MS (ISP): 763.1 (MH+), 382.6 ([MHz]++). 1H-NMR (CDCl3) diagnostic signals only: 0.89 (t, 3H), 1.10 (d, 3H). 1.13 (d, IH), 1.24 (d, 3H), 1.32 (s, 3H), 1.33 (d, 3H), 1.37 (d, 3H), 1.50 (s, 3H), 2.26 (s, 6H), 2.63 (s, IH), 2.80 (s, 3H), 3.56 (m, IH), 3.86 (q, IH), 4.27 (s, IH), 4.28 (d, IH), 4.35 (d, IH), 5.53 (dd, IH), 7.09 (dd, IH), 7.22 (d, IH), 7.58 (td, IH), 8.52 (d, IH). Example 11: Preparation of (3S, 3aR, 4R, 6R, 8R, 9R, 10R, 12R, l5Ry 15aS)-15-Ethyloctahydro-8-methoxy-4,6,8,10,12,15a-hexamethyl-3- [ [2-phenoxyethyl] thio] -9- [ [3,4,6-trideoxy- 3-(dimethylamino)-β-D-xylo-hexopyranosyl] oxy] -2H-furo [2,3-c] oxacyclotetradecin-2,5,11,13 (3H,6H,12H)-tetrone; (I-ll, compound of formula I, where R^ is [2-phenoxyethyl]thio) A] (10£)-10,ll-Didehydro-ll-deoxy-6-O-methyl-erythromycin 2'-acetate 4"-(phenylmethyl carbonate) 12-[[[2-phenoxyethyl]thio]acetate]; (IV-11): In analogy to example IB, coupling of 300 mg 6 and 141 mg [ [2-phenoxyethyl] thio] acetic acid gave 267 mg of IV-11. Rf 0.75 (CH3CN/CH2CI2/NH4OH 1:1:0.1). 1H-NMR (CDCl3) diagnostic signals only: 1.89 (s, 3H), 2.00 (s, 3H), 2.23 (s, 6H), 2.99 (s, 2H), 3.16 (s, 3H), 3.31 (s, 2H), 3.34 (s, 3H), 4.18 (t, 2H), 4.36 (m, IH), 4.46 (d, IH), 4.57 (d, IH), 4.88 (dd, IH), 4.98 (d, IH), 5.13 (d, IH), 5.24 (d, IH), 5.73 (dd, IH), 6.62 (s, IH), 6.89 (d, 2H), 6.97 (t, IH), 7.31 (m, 2H), 7.36 (s, 5H). B] (3S, 3aR, 4R, 6R, SR, 9R, lOS, US, 12R, 15r, 15aS)-9-[[2-0-Acetyl-3,4,6- trideoxy-3-(dimethylamino)-β-D-xyl-hexopyranosyl] oxy] -11- [ [2,6-dideoxy-3-C- methyl-3-0-methyl-4-0- [(phenylmethoxy)carbonyl] -α-L-ribo-hexopyranosyl]oxy]-15-ethyldecahydro-8-methoxy-4,6,8,10,12,15a-hexamethyl-3-[[2-phenoxyethyl]thio]-2H-fviro [2,3-c] oxacyclotetradecin-2,5,13 (3H,6H)-trione; (V-11): According to example IC, cyclization of 254 mg IV-11 with 342 μ1 KO'Bu gave 25 mg of V-11 (product 1) and 99 mg of a product lacking the benzyloxycarbonyl protecting group at position 4" (product 2). R/(product 1): 0.59 (CH3CN/CH2CI2/NH4OH 1:1:0.1). R/(product 2): 0.19 (CH3CN/CH2CI2/NH4OH 1:1:0.1). C] (3R or 5,3al?, 4R or S, 6R, 8R, 9R, lOS, US, 12R, 15R, 15aS)-9-[[2-0-Acetyl- 3,4,6-trideoxy-3-(dimethylamino)-β-D-xylo-hexopyranosyl]oxy]-15- ethyldecahydro-11 -hydroxy-8-methoxy-4,6,8,10,12,15a-hexamethyl-3- [ [2- phenoxyethyl]thio]-2H-furo [2,3-c] oxacyclotetradecin-2,5,13 (3H,6H)-trione; mixture of 2 diastereomers (VI-11): 88 mg V-11 were subjected to methanolysis to give 34 mg of the desired product VI-11 as a 2:1 mixture of two diastereomers. R/ 0.30 (CH3CN/CH2CI2/NH4OH 1:1:0.1). 1H-NMR (CDCl3) diagnostic signals only: Diasteromer 1; 1.45 (s, 3H), 2.07 (s, 3H), 2.25 (s, 6H), 3.00 (s, 3H), 3.73 (s, IH), 5.55 (dd, IH); diasteromer 2; 1.50 (s, 3H), 2.01 (s, 3H), 2.27 (s, 6H), 3.06 (s, 3H), 3.82 (d, IH), 5.03 (dd, IH). D] (3ror S, 3arR or S, 6R, 8R, 9R, 10R, 12R, 15R, 15aS)-9-[[2-0-Acetyl-3,4,6- trideoxy-3-(dimethylamino)-β-D-xylo-hexopyranosyl]oxy]-15-ethyloctahydro-8- methoxy-4,6,8,10,12,15a-hexamethyl-3-[[2-phenoxyethyl]thio]-2H-furo [2,3-c] oxacyclotetradecin-2,5,11,13 (3H,6H,12H)-tetrone; mixture of two diastereomers (VII-11): 65 mg VI-11 were oxidized in analogy to example IE to give 60 mg of the protected ketolide VII-11 as a 2:1 mixture of two diasteromers. R/: 0.32 (CH3CN/CH2CI2/NH4OH 1:1:0.1). 1H-NMR (CDCl3) diagnostic signals only: Diasteromer 1; 1.50 (s, 3H), 2.04 (s, 3H), 2.24 (s, 6H), 2.67 (s, IH), 2.74 (s, 3H), 3.83 (q, IH), 4.34 (s, IH), 5.47 (dd, IH); diasteromer 2; 1.56 (s, 3H), 2.03 (s, 3H),2.23 (s, 6H), 2.84 (s, 3H), 3.77 (q, IH), 4.99 (dd, IH). E] (3S, 3aR, 4R, 6R, 8R, 9R, 10R, 12R, 15R, 15aS)-15-Ethyloctahydro-8-methoxy- 4,6,8,10,12,15a-hexamethyl-3-[ [2-phenoxyethyl] thio]-9-[ [3,4,6-trideoxy-3- (dimethylamino)-β-D-xylo-hexopyranosyl]oxy]-2H-furo [2,3-c] oxacyclotetradecin-2,5,11,13 (3H,6H,12H)-t€trone; (Ml): According to example IF, 60 mg VII-11 were deprotected to give 24 mg I-ll as a single diasteromer. MS (ISP): 764.3 (MH+). 0.88 (t, 3H), 1.10 (d, 3H), 1.13 (d, 3H), 1.23-1.40 (3 d, 1 s), 1.51 (s, 3H), 2.26 (s, 6H), 2.67 (s, IH), 2.75 (s, 3H), 3.58 (m, IH), 3.87 (q, IH), 4.23-4.38 (m, 5H), 5.47 (dd, IH), 6.89-7.00 (m, 3H), 7.21-7.32 (m, 2H). Example 12: Preparation of 3S, 3aR, 4R, 6R, 8R, 9R, 10R, 12R, 15R, 15aS)-15-Ethyloctahydro-8-methoxy-4,6,8,10,12,15a-hexamethyl-3-[ [3,4-dimethoxyphenyl] thio]-9-[ [3,4,6- trideoxy-3-(dimethylamino)-β-D-xylo-hexopyranosyl]oxy] -2H-furo [2,3-c] oxacyclotetradecin-2,5,11,13 (3H,6H,12H)-tetrone; (1-12, compound of formula I, where R1' is [3,4-dimethoxyphenyl]thio) A] (10E)-10,ll-Didehydro-ll-deoxy-6-O-methyl-erythromycin 2'-acetate 4"- (phenylmethyl carbonate) 12-[[[3,4-dimethoxyphenyl]thio]acetate]; (IV-12): In analogy to example IB, coupling of 300 mg 6 and 151 mg [[3,4-dimethoxy-phenyl]thio] acetic acid gave 254 mg of IV-12. R/. 0.57 (CH3CN/CH2CI2/NH4OH 1:1:0.01), 1H-NMR (CDCl3) diagnostic signals only: 1.83 (s, 3H), 2.00 (s, 3H), 2.23 (s, 6H), 3.13 (s, 3H), 3.32 (s, 3H), 3.51 (s, 2H), 3.87 (s, 6H), 4.35 (m, IH), 4.44 (d, IH), 4.56 (d, IH), 4.68 (dd, IH). 4.97 (d, IH), 5.13 (d, IH), 5.24 (d, IH), 5.67 (dd, IH), 6.59 (s, IH), 6.79 (d, IH), 7.00 (m, 2H). B] (3S, 3aR, 4R, 6R, 8R, 9J^, lOS, US, 12R, 15R, 15aS)-9-[[2-0-Acetyl-3,4,6- trideoxy-3-(dimethylaniino)-β-D-;cy/o-hexopyranosyl]oxy]-ll-[[2,6-dideoxy-3-C- methyl-3-0-methyl-4-0- [ (phenylmethoxy)carbonyl] -a-L-nfeo-hexopyranosyl]oxy]-15-ethyldecahydro-8-methoxy-4,6,8,10,12,15a-hexamethyl-3-[[3,4-dimethoxyphenyl]thio]-2ff-ftiro [2,3-c] oxacyclotetradecin-2,5,13 (3H,6H)-trione; (V-12): Cyclization of 254 mg IV-12 with KO'Bu according to example IC gave 25 mg of V-12 (productl) along with 99 mg of a product lacking the benzyloxycarbonyl protecting group at position 4" (product 2). R/(product 1): 0.52 (CH3CN/CH2CI2/NH4OH 1:1:0.01). R/(product 2): 0.08 (CH3CN/CH2CI2/NH4OH 1:1:0.01), q (3S, 3aR,4R, 6R, BR, 9R, lOS, US, 12R, 15JR, 15aS)-9-[[2-0-Acetyl-3,4,6-trideoxy-3- (dimethylamino) -β-D-xylo-hexopyranosyl] oxy] -15-ethyldecahydro-11-hydroxy-8-methoxy-4,6,8.10,12,15a-hexamethyl-3-[[3,4-diniethoxyphenyl]thio]-2H-furo [2,3-c] oxacyclotetradecin-2,5,13 (3H,6H)-trione; (VI-12): The compound lacking the benzyloxycarbonyl protecting group obtained in step 12B (99 mg) was subjected to methanolysis as described in example ID to give 50 mg of the desired product VI-12. R/. 0.27 (CH3CN/CH2Cl2/NH4OH 1:1:0.01). 'H-NMR (CDCl3) diagnostic signals only: 0.91 (t, 3H), 0.99 (d, IH), 1.05 (d, 3H), 1.11 (d, 3H), 1.24 (d, 3H), 1.27 (d, 3H), 1.30 (s, 3H), 1.46 (s, 3H), 2.08 (s, 3H), 2.27 (s, 6H), 2.88 (s, IH), 3.13 (s, 3H), 3.78 (d, IH), 3.88 (s, 3H), 3.94 (s, 3H), 4.65 (d, IH), 4.72 (s, IH), 4.79 (dd, IH), 5.44 (dd, IH), 6.84 (d, IH), 7.30 (d, IH), 7.32 (s, IH). D] (3S, 3aR, AR, 6R, BR, 9R, lOR, 12R, 15R, 15aS)-9-[[2-0-Acetyl-3,4,6-trideoxy-3- (dimethylamino)-β-D-xylo-hexopyranosyi] oxy] -15-ethyloctahydro-8-methoxy- 4,6,8,10,12,15a-hexamethyl-3-[[3,4-dimethoxyphenyl]thio]-2H-furo [2,3-c] oxacydotetradecin-2,5,11,13 (3H,6H,12H)-tetrone; (VII-12): Oxidation was done according to example IE with 50 mg VI-12 to give 42 mg of the desired product VII-12. R/ 0.31 (CH3CN/CH2CI2/NH4OH 1:1:0.01). 1H-NMR (CDCl3) diagnostic signals only: 0.99 (t, 3H), 1.06 (d, 3H), 1.14 (d, 3H), 1.20 (d, 3H), 1.26 (d, 3H), 1.33 (s, 3H), 1.39 (d, 3H), 1.51 (s, 3H), 2.05 (s, 3H), 2.25 (s, 6H), 2.82 (s, IH), 2.887 (s, 3H), 3.58 (m, IH), 3.86 (q, IH), 3.87 (s, 3H), 3.94 (s, 3H), 4.28 (d, IH), 4.42 (d, IH), 4.51 (s, IH), 4.76 (dd, IH), 5.37 (dd, IH), 6.83 (d, IH), 7.26 (d, IH), 7.29 (s, IH). E] 3S, 3aR, 4R, 6R, 8R, 9R, lOR, 12R, 15R, 15aS)-15-Ethyloctahydro-8-methoxy- 4,6,8,10,12,15a-hexamethyl-3-[[3,4-dimethoxyphenyl]thio]-9-[[3,4,6-trideoxy-3- (dimethylamino)-β-D-xylo-hexopyranosyl] oxy] -2H-furo [2,3-cl oxacyclotetradecin-2,5,11,13 (3H,6H,12H)-tetrone; (1-12): Final deprotection was done with 22 mg VII-12 to give 20 mg 1-12. R/. 0.06 (CH3CN/CH2CI2/NH4OH 1:1:0.01). MS (ISP): 780.5 (MH+). 1H-NMR (CDCl3) diagnostic signals only: 0.93 (t, 3H), 1.07 (d, 3H), 1.13 (d, 3H), 1.27 (d, 3H), 1.34 (d, 3H), 1.36 (s, 3H), 1.40 (d, 3H), 1.51 (s, 3H), 2.27 (s, 6H), 2.82 (s, IH), 2.88 (s, 3H), 3.58 (m, IH), 3.87 (s, 3H), 3.88 (q, IH), 3.93 (s, 3H), 4.31 (d, IH), 4.35 (d, IH), 4.51(s, IH), 5.36 (dd, IH), 6.84 (d, IH), 7.28 (d, IH), 7.30 (s, IH). Example 13: Preparation of (3S, 3aR, 4R, 6R, ZR, 9R, lOR, 12R, 15JR, 15aS)-15-Ethyloctahydro-8-methoxy-4,6,8,10,12,15a-hexamethyl-3- [ [2-(2-pyridinyl)ethyl]thio] -9-[ [3,4,6- trideoxy-3-(dimethylamino)-β-D-xylo-hexopyranosyl]oxy]-2H-furo [2,3-c] oxacyclotetradecin-2,5,11,13 (3H,6H,12H)-tetrone; (1-13, compound of formula I, where R1 is [[2-(2-pyridinyl)ethyl]thio) A] [[2-(2-pyridinyl)ethyl]thio]acetic add was prepared from 2-vinylpyridine and thioglycolic acid according to Il'ichev et al. J. Org. Chem USSR 1971, 7, 2511. B] (10£)-10,11-Didehydro-1 l-deoxy-6-O-methyl-erythromycin 2'-acetate 4"-(phenylmethyl carbonate) 12-[[[2-(2-pyridinyl)ethyl]thio]acetate]; (IV-13): In analogy to example IB, 318 mg of IV-13 were obtained from 300 ing 6 and 200 mg [[2-(2-pyridinyl)ethyl]thio]acetic acid. Rf. 0.65 (CH3CN/CH2CI2/NH4OH 1:1:0.01). 1H-NMR (CDCU) diagnostic signals only: 1.20 (s, 3H), 1.60 (s, 3H), 1.87 (s, 3H), 2.00 (s, 3H), 2.23 (s, 6H), 3.05 (m, 4H), 3.16 (s, 3H), 3.17 (s, 2H), 3.32 (s, 3H), 5.73 (dd, IH), 6.63 (s, IH), 7.14 (m, 2H), 7.35 (s, 5H), 7.60 (td, IH), 8.53 (d, IH). C] (3S, 3aR, 4R, 6R, 8R, 9R, lOS, US, 12R,15R, 15aS)-9-[[2-0-Acetyl-3,4,6- trideoxy-3- (dimeth.ylamino)-β-D-xylo-hexopyranosyl]oxy] -11- [ [2,6-dideoxy-3-C- methyl-3-0-methyl-4-0-[(phenylmethoxy)carbonyl]-a-L-n'bo- hexopyranosyl]oxy]-15-ethyldecahydro-8-methoxy-4,6,8,l0,12,15a-hexamethyl-3- [[2-(2-pyridinyl)ethyl]tliio]-2H-furo [2,3-c] oxacyclotetradecin-2,5,13 (3H,6H)- trione; (V-13): In analogy to example IC, 113 mg rV-13 was treated with 156 \i\ KO'Bu in 3 ml DMF, resulting m 69 mg V-13. % 0.65 (CH3CN/CH2CI2/NH4OH 1:1:0.01). 1H-NMR (CDCl3) diagnostic signals only: 0.85 (t, 3H), 1.93 (d, IH), 1.32 (s, 3H), 1.42 (s, 3H). 2.04 (s, 3H), 2.24 (s, 6H), 2.57 (s, IH), 2.99 (s, 3H), 3.33 (s, 3H), 4.29 (m, IH), 4.45 (s, IH), 4.45, (d, IH), 4.62 (d, IH), 4.72 (dd, IH), 4.93 (d, IH), 5.12 (d, IH), 5.24 (d, IH), 5.48 (dd, IH), 7.08 (dd, IH), 7.36 (m, 6H), 7.58 (td, IH), 8.25 (d, IH). D] (3S, 3aR, 4R, 6R, 8R, 9R, 10S, US, 12R, 15R, 15aS)-9-[[2-0-Acetyl-3,4,6- trideoxy-3-(dimethylamino)-β-D-Xylo-hexopyranosyl]oxy]-15-ethyldecahydro-ll- hydroxy-8-methoxy-4,6,8,10,12,15a-hexamethyl-3- [ [2- (2-pyridinyl) ethyl] thio] -2H- faro [2,3-c] oxacyclotetradecin-2,5,13 (3H,6H)-trione; (IV-13) In analogy to example ID, 69 mg V-13 were treated with 10 ml methanol containing 3% HCl. Yield: 53 mg. Rf 0.38 (ethyl acetate/methanol/NEta 8:2:0.1). 1H-NMR (CDCl3) diagnostic signals only: 0.84 (t, 3H), 0.97 (d, IH), 1.27 (s, 3H), 1.45 (s, 3H), 2.10 (s, 3H), 2.32 (s, 6H), 2.67 (s, IH), 2.93 (s, 3H), 3.73 (d, IH), 4.55 (s, IH), 4.66 (d, IH), 4.78 (dd, IH), 5.58 (dd, IH), 7.08 (dd, IH), 7.37 (d, IH), 7.58 (td, IH), 8.52 (d, IH). E] (3S, 3aR, 4R, 6R, 8R, 9R, lOR, 12R, 15R, 15aS)-9-[[2-0-Acetyl-3,4,6-trideoxy-3- (dimethylamino)-β-D-xylo-hexopyranosyl] oxy] - 15-ethyloctahydro-8-methoxy- 4,6,8,10,12,15a-hexamethyl-3-[[2-(2-pyridinyl)ethyl]thio]-2H-furo[2,3-c] oxacyclotetradecin-2,5,11,13 (3H,6H,12H)-tetrone; (VII-13): 44 mg VI-13 were oxidized according to example IE to give 38 mg of the protected ketolide VII-13. R/ 0.50 (CH3CN/CH2CI2/NH4OH 1:1:0.01). 1H-NMR (CDCl3) diagnostic signals only: 0.87 (t, 3H), 1.25 (s, 3H), 1.50 (s, 3H), 2.04 (s, 3H), 2.25 (s, 6H), 2.62 (s, IH), 3.57 (m, IH), 3.82 (q, IH), 4.24 (d, IH), 4.38 (s, IH), 4.41 (d, IH), 4.47 (dd, IH), 5.50 (dd, IH), 7.08 (dd, IH), 7.34 (d, IH), 7.57 (td, IH), 8.52 (d, IH). F] (3S, 3aR, 4R, 6R, SR, 9R, lOR, UR, 15R, 15aS)-15-Ethyloctahydro-8-methoxy- 4,6,8,10,12,15a-hexamethyl-3- [ [2-(2-pyridinyl)ethyl]thio]-9- [ [3,4,6-trideoxy-3- (dimethylamino)-β-D-xylo-hexopyranosyl] oxy] -2H-furo [2,3-c] oxacyclotetradecin-2,5,11,13 (3H,6H,12H)-tetrone; (1-13): Deprotection of 44 mg VII-13 was done according to example IF to give 38 mg I-13. MS (ISP): 749.5 (MH""), 375.7 ([MHz]^). 'H-NMR (CDCl3) diagnostic signals only: 0.87 (t, 3H), 1.13 (2 d, 6H), 1.25 (d, 3H), 1.31 (s, 3H), 1.32 (d, 3H), 1.35 (d, 3H), 1.50 (s, 3H), 2.27 (s, 6H), 2.62 (s, IH), 2.67 (s, 3H), 3.57 (m ,1H), 3.84 (q, IH), 4.27 (d, IH), 3.33 (d, IH), 4.35 (s, IH), 5.48 (dd, IH), 7.08 (dd, IH), 7.35 (d, IH), 7.57 (td, IH), 8.52 (d, IH). Example 14: Preparation of (3S, 3aR, 4R, 6R, 8R,9R, IQR, UR, 15R, 15aS)-3-[[2-[6-Amino-9H-purine-9-yl]ethyl]thio]-15-ethyloctahydro-8-methoxy-4,6,8,10,12,15a-hexamethyl- 9-[[3,4,6-trideoxy-3-(dimethylamino)-β-D-xylo-hexopyranosyl]oxy]-2H-furo [2,3-c] oxacyclotetradecin-2,5,11,13 (3H,6H,12H)-tetrone; (1-14, compomid of formula I, where R' is [2-[6-amino-9H-purine-9-yl]ethyl]thio) A] (10E)-10,ll-Didehydro-ll-deoxy-6-O-methyl-erythromycin2 '-acetate 12--[chloroacetate] 4"-(phenylmethyl carbonate) (Scheme 2, formula IX-1): This compound was obtained according to example IB from 6 (6 g) and chloroacetic acid (1.88 g). Yield: 6.1 g. R/. 0,61 (CH2Cl2/MeOH/NHtOH 100:10:1). MS (ISP): 982.4 (MH+). The side chain required for the synthesis of this macrolide was made as outlined in Scheme 5 (steps 14B to 14E). Adenine (2.7 g, 20 mmol) was suspended in DMF (100 ml) and 1.76 g (20 mmol) ethylene carbonate was added. After addition of a catalytic amount of NaOH (15 mg), the mixture was stirred at 160 °C for 2 hours. DMF was removed in vacuo and the residue was crystallized from EtOH (350 ml) to give 2.1 g (59%) of a brownish solid. MS (EI): 179.1 (M+). 1H-NMR (DMS0-d6): 3.74 (q, 2H), 4.18 (t, 2H), 4.99 (t, IH), 7.16 (broad s, 2H), 8.07 (s, IH), 8.13 (s, IH). C]9-(2-Chloroethyl)-6-amino-9H-purine: 1.97 g (11 mmol) 9-(hydroxyethyl)-6-amino-9H-purine were suspended in 20 ml thionyl chloride and heated at 70°C for 45 minutes. Excess thionyl chloride was removed in vacuo and the residue was dissolved in water (100 ml). The aqueous solution was basified with NaHCO3solution (10%) and the resulting slurry was stirred for 15 minutes. The product was isolated by filtration, washed with water and dried to give 1.25 g of a brownish solid. The crystallization step was repeate.d to give another 220 mg of product. Total yield: 1.47 g (68%). MS (EI): 197.1 (M+). 1H- NMR (DMSO-d): 4.07 (t, 2H), 4.50 (t, 2H), 7.23 (broad s, 2H), 8.15 (s, IH), 8.17 (s, IH). D] Ethanethioic acid, S-[ [6-amino-9H-purine-9-yl] ethyl] ester: 1.2 g (6.07 mmol) 9-(chloroethyl)-6-amino-9Hpurine was suspended in acetone (30 ml). After addition of solid potassium thioacetate (870 mg (7.6 mmol)), the mixture was heated to reflux for 12 hours. The suspension was concentrated in vacuo,uspended in CH2Cl and chromatographed on 120 g of silica gel, eluting with a gradient of 0 to 9 % methanol in CH2CI2. The appropriate fractions were combined and evaporated to give 1.4 g (97%) of a brownish soUd. MS (EI): 237.1 (M^). 1H-NMR (MSO'de): 2,30 (s, 3H), 3.40 (t, 2H), 4.32 (t, 2H), 7.20 (broad s, 2H), 8.11 (s,lH), 8.14 (s,lH). E] [6-amino-9H-purine]-l-ethanethiol: 1.3 g (5,5 mmol) ethanethioic acid, S-[[6-amino-9H-purine-9-yl] ethyl] ester was suspended in 50 ml degassed methanol, kept under argon. Ammonia was bubbled through the solution for 5 minutes and the internal temperature rose to 40 °C. The resulting solution was stirred for 60 minutes to give a suspension. This was filtered and the filtrate was concentrated and the fluffy soliwas dried at 60°C in vacuo. Yield: 850 mg (79%). MS (EI): 195.1 (M+. 1H-NMR (DMSO-d6): 2.50 (IH, covered by DMSO), 2.96 (broad q, 2H), 4.30 (t, 2H), 7.20 (broad s, 2H), 8.14 (s, 2H). The product was contaminated with approx. 5% of the corresponding disulfide. F] (10)-10,ll-didehydro-ll-deoxy-6-O-methyl-erythromycin 2'-acetate 12-[[[2-e [6-amino-9H-purine-9-yl]ethyl]thio]acetate] 4--(phenylmethyl carbonate); (IV- 14): To a solution of 214 mg (218 μ.mol) IX-1 dissolved in 8 ml acetone were added 36 \i\ DBU and a catalytic amount of Nal. [6-amino-9H-purine]-l-ethanethiol (45 mg, 230 |xmol) was added in one portion and the resulting suspension was stirred at room temperature. The mixture gradually cleared to give a hazy solution. The reaction mixture was diluted with CH2CI2, extracted with 5% aqueous NaHCOs, dried over Na2SO4 and evaporated. The crude product was purified by flash chromatography on silica gel (ethyl acetate/methanol/NEta 9:1:0.1) to give 193 mg of the desired product IV-14 as a glass. Rf0.37 (CHCl3/MeOH/NH4OH 9:1:0.1). MS (ISP): 1141.5 (MHl, 571,3 ([MH+-++ 1H-NMR (CDCl3) diagnostic signals only: 0.87 (t, 3H), 1.61 (s, 3H), 1.87 (s, 3H), 2,00 (s, 3H), 2.23 (s, 6H), 3.09 (t, 2H), Oxidation was performed as described in example IE. From 70 mg VI-14,52 mg of VII-14 were obtained as a S,S-dimethylsulfilimine derivative. R/. 0.44 (CHCl3/MeOH/NH4OH). D] [4-Amino-2-lH-pyrimidinone] -1-ethanethiol: The crude product from step 15F was subjected to methanolysis as described in example ID to give 49 mg of VI-15. 'H-NMR (CDCI3) diagnostic signals only: 2.01 (s, 3H), 2.26 (s, 6H), 2.66 (s, IH), 2.97 (s, 3H), 3.78 (d, IH), 4.44 (s, IH), 5.51 (dd, IH), 5.60 (d, IH), 6.00 (broad s), 7.77 (d, IH). C] l-(2-Chloroethyl)-3-(3-pyridinyl)-lH-pyrazole: G] (3S, 3aR, 4R, 6R, 8J?, 9r, lOS, US, 12R, 15R, 15aS)-9-[[2-O-Acetyl-3,4,6-trideoxy'-3-(dimethylamino)-P-D->xylo-hexopyranosyl]oxy]-ll-[[2,6-dideoxy^ [ [3A6-trideoxy-3-(dimethylamino)-P-D-xylo-hexopyranosyl]oxy]-2H-furo [2,3-c] oxacyclotetradecin-2,5,11,13 (3H,6H,12H)-tetrone; (1-16): In analogy to example 14D, this compound was obtained from (2-chloroethyl)-3-(3-pyridyl)-lH-l,2,4-triazole by treatment with potassium thioacetate. MS (EI): 248.1 (M+). 1H-NMR (DMSO-d6): 2.34 (s, 3H), 3.36 (t, 2H), 4.44 (t, 2H), 7.51 (m, IH), 8.31 (m, IH), 8.63 (m, IH), 8.67 (s, IH), 9.16 (d, IH). E] [3-(3-Pyridinyl)-lH-l,2,4-triazole-l-yl]-l-ethane thiol: According to example 14H, 264 mg V-17 were subjected to methanolysis to give 200 mg of VI-17 as a single diastereomer. Rf 0.27 (CHCl3/MeOH/NH4OH 9:1:0.1). MS Preparation of (3S, 3ai?, 4i?, 6R, 8R, 9R, lOR, 12R, 15R, 15aS)-15-Ethyloctahydro-8-methoxy-4,6,8,10,12,15a-hexamethyl-3-[[2-[3-(4-pyridinyl)-lH-l,2,4-triazol-l- yl)] ethyl] thio] -9- [ [3,4,6-trideoxy-3-(dimethylainmo)-β-D-xylo- hexopyranosyl]oxy]-2H-furo [2,3-c] oxacyclotetradecin-2,5,11,13 (3H,6H,12H)-tetrone; (1-18, compound of formula I, where R is [2-[3-(4-pyridinyl)-lH-l,2j4-triazol-1-yl)] ethyl] thio) methyl-3-O-methyl-4-0-[(phenylmethoxy)carbonyl]-a-L-ribo-hexopyranosyl]oxy]"15-ethyldecahydro-8-methoxy-4,6,8,10,12,15a-hexainethyl-3-- 3,4,6-trideoxy-3-(dimethylamino)-|3-D-xylo-hexopyranosyl]oxy]-15- furo [2,3-c] oxacyclotetradecin-3-carbonitrile; (VII-23): Scheme 6: D31 7l]ethyl]thio]-15-ethyloctahydro-8-methoxy-4,6,8,10,12,15a-hexamethyl-9-I[3,4,6- * - - / # • • # (phenylmethyl carbonate) 12-[[[3-[3-(3-pyridinyl)-lH-pyra2ol-l-yl]propyl]thio]acetate] 4"-(phenylmethyl carbonate); (rV-35) was obtained (CDC13) diagnostic signals only: 0.89 (t, 3H), 1.15 (2d, 6H), 1.27 (d, 3H), 1.32 (d, 3H), 1.33 (s, 3H), 1.34 (d, 3H), 1.52 (s, 3H), 2.25 (s, 6H), 2.63 (s, IH), 2.65 (s, SH), yl]propyl]thio]-15-ethyloctahydro-8-methoxy-4,6,8,10,12,l5a-hexamelixyU Below some examples for the manufacture of medicaments are given Example A Tablets of the following composition are manufactured in the usual manner: mg/tablet Active substance 500-1000 Lactose Corn starch Microcrystalline cellulose Magnesium stearate Tablet weight 1000-1500 Example B Capsules of the following composition are manufactured: mg/capsule Active substance 500-1000 Lactose Corn starch Talc Capsule fill weight 1000-1500 The active substance, lactose and com starch are firsdy mixed in a mixer and then in a comminuting machine. The mixture is returned to the mixer, the talc is added thereto and mixed thoroughly. The mixture is filled by machine into hard gelatine capsules. Example C Suppositories of the following composition are manufactured: mg/supp. Active substance 500 Suppository mass Total 1300 The suppository mass is melted in a glass or steel vessel, mixed thoroughly and cooled to 45°C. Thereupon, the finely powdered active substance is added thereto and stirred until it has dispersed completely. The mixture is poured into suppository moulds of suitable size, left to cool, the suppositories are then removed firom the moulds and packed individually in wax paper or metal foil. Claims 1. Macrolide antibiotics of formula I and pharmaceutically acceptable acid addition salts or in vivo cleavable esters thereof. 2. Compounds according to claim 1, wherein L is -(CH2)n and n is 0,1,2 or 3. 3. Compounds according to claim 1 or 2, wherein R2 is aryl or heterocyclyl. 4. Compounds according to claim 1 or 2, wherein R2 is phenyl dialkoxyphenyl, 6-amino-9H-purin-9-yI or pyridinyl-lH-pyrazol-l-yL 5. Compounds according to claim 1, wherein R2 is one of the groups 6. Compounds according to claim 1, wherein R1 is one of the groups wherein R1 is as in claim 1; wherein R10 is hydrogen or as R1 in claim 1; Ac is acetyl; and Bz is benzyl. 12. A medicament comprising a compound according to any one of claims 1 to 9 and pharmaceutically acceptable excipients. 13. A medicament in accordance -with claim 10 for the prevention or treatment of infectious diseases. 14. Process for the manufacture of the macrolide antibiotics of claims 1, which process comprises deacylating a compound of the formula wherein Ac is acetyl and * indicates a chiral center which is in the (R) or (S) form, and, in the required case, converting the compound of formula I obtained into a pharmaceutically acceptable acid addition salt or into an in vivo cleavable ester thereof. 15. The compounds of any one of claims 1 to 9, whenever prepared by the process of claim 14 or by an obvious chemical equivalent thereof. 16. The compounds of any one of claims 1 to 9 for use in medical therapy, particularly for the prevention or treatment of infectious diseases. 17. The use of a compound of formula I in accordance with any one of claims 1 to 9 in the prevention or treatment of infectious diseases. 18. The use of compounds of formula I in accordance with any one of claims 1 to 9 for the production of a medicament containing a compound of formula I for the prevention and treatment of infectious diseases. 19. The invention as herein described. '20. A method for the therapy of an infectious disease comprising administering to the infected organism an effective amount of a compound as defined in any one of claims 1 to 9.

Documents:

246-chenp-2003-abstract.pdf

246-chenp-2003-claims duplicate.pdf

246-chenp-2003-claims original.pdf

246-chenp-2003-correspondnece-others.pdf

246-chenp-2003-correspondnece-po.pdf

246-chenp-2003-description(complete) duplicate.pdf

246-chenp-2003-description(complete) original.pdf

246-chenp-2003-form 1.pdf

246-chenp-2003-form 26.pdf

246-chenp-2003-form 3.pdf

246-chenp-2003-form 5.pdf

246-chenp-2003-other documents.pdf

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