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A novel class of 2-fluoro-6-O-propargyl-11,12-carbamate ketolide derivative
s of erythromycin has been synthesized for antibacterial SAR studies. Repla
cement of the C2-hydrogen by a fluorine atom allows the synthesis of 6-O-pr
opargylic ketones and electron-deficient 6-O-propargylic aromatic derivativ
es by preventing intramolecular CS-enolate Michael cyclization.