Tetracycline, 6-demethyl-6-deoxy

The 7-chloro-derivative, the first of the group to be isolated (1948) is known as chlortetracy-cline. The 5-hydroxy-derivative is oxytetracy-dine. More recently introduced tetracyclines are 6-demethyl-7-chlorotetracycline and 5-hydroxy-6-deoxy-6-methyienetetracycline. 

Fig. 1. Tetracycline (1) and its derivatives chlortetracycline (7-chlorotetracycline) (2) oxytetracycline (5-hydroxytetracycline) (3), demeclocycline (6-demethyl-7-chlorotetracycline) (4) methacycline (6-demethyl-6-deoxy-5-hydroxy-6-methylenetetracycline) (5) doxycycline (6a-deoxy-5-hydroxytetracycline) (6) and minocycline (6-demethy1-6-deoxy-7-dimethy1 amino tetracycline) (7). Substituents at positions not specifically...

The 6- uoro isomers, 6-deoxy-6-demethyl-6a- uorotetracycline [24333-20-8] C2 H2 FN20y, and 6-deoxy-6-demethyl-6P- uorotetracycline [24333-21-9] C2 H2 FN202, have been prepared and showed relatively high in vitro and in vivo biological activities compared to the parent tetracyclines. 

Deoxy-7-demethyl-6a-fluorotetracycline and the corresponding 6p- isomer have been synthesised and exhibit high activities compared to the parent tetracyclines. Acquired resistance to tetracyclines has been an impediment to their clinical use and in this context semi-synthetic studies which have already been very extensive have resulted in the introduction of valuable compounds such as minocycline. 

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