GB2051798A - Paromomycin derivatives - Google Patents

Abstract

4'-Deoxy-and 4'-deoxy-4'-epichloro-paromomycin derivatives have the formula <IMAGE> wherein R1 represents a hydrogen or chlorine atom, or are their pharmaceutically acceptable additional salts. Their preparation from 4',6'-O-benzylidene-penta-N- benzyloxycarbonyl-paromomycin and pharmaceutical compositions containing them are described. The compounds are useful for the treatment of amoebic dysentry, shigellosis and salmonellosis.

Description

SPECiFICATION Paromomycin derivatives The invention relates to paromomycin derivatives, to processes for their preparation and to pharmaceutical compositions containing them.

The invention provides 4'-deoxy-paromomycin and 4'-deoxy-4'-epi-chloro-paromomycin, which have the formula

wherein R1 represents a hydrogen or chlorine atom respectively, and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof.

The invention further provides processes for the preparation of 4'-deoxy-paramomycin and 4'-deoxy-4'epi-chloro-paromomycin. These processes are illustrated by the following reaction scheme, in which A represents an acyl or benzoyl group, Ph represents a phenyl group, Bn represents a benzyl group and Bu represents a butyl group:

PhM o o 0 < oz- Bn(50\ NHCOOBflNHCO0n HO OH > a. o HO 2 OH HO BnOOCNH BnOOCNH OCHNCH2 OH O-Acylation or O-Benzoylation

Ph n O 0 BnOOCN N COOBzi BnOOCN C NXHCOOBn OA < I / HCOOBn A CH2 0 AO A Bn O0CHNCH2 00A (2) BnOOCNH BnOOCNN lhydrolysis CU20H HO AO BnOOCNH NHCOOBn OA HCOOBn CH2 0 AO 0 0 OA iLOaJ BnOOC BcOOCNH I selective Ibenzoyfation CH2 OOCPh HMocO A < \ NHCOOBn BnOOCi {A 0 NHCOOBn CH O OA A < W OA BnOOCNNCH2 X OA (4) BnOOCNH

C1 FH200CPH 0 AO < \ > NHCOOBn BnOOCNH 0 OVA OA AO HCOOBn 0 OA AO BnOOCHNCH (5) (s) BnOOC 0 Tso2C12 base (4) CS2 + CN3I trong base CH2OOCPh CH3SSCO 0 A < \ HCOOBn OH > I 1"2 A A0 BnOOCHNC BnOOCNH

(6) strong base H2OH 0 HO < \ BnOOCNH ,HCOOBn 0 PH OH HO CH OH HO < X (7) BnOOCHNCH2 BnOOCNH OH catalytic ydroganation H2OH WL O H 0 "i::I 0 H HO CH2 o 2 OH HO H2NCH2NHOOH (8) NH2

(5) strong base C1 H2OH HO HO < \ > HCOOBn BnOOCNH HCOOBn OH 0 OH / / -NHCOOBn 2 < 0 0 OH HO BnOOCHNC OH BnOOCNH O OH catalytic hydrogenation C CH2 H L 0 HO NH2 NH2 OH L oHNHZ HO CH2 O OH no2 (12) The starting material, 4',6'-O-benzylidene-penta-N-benzyloxycarbonylparomomycin (1), may be prepared from pammomycin a natural aminoglycoside antibiotic (United States Patent Specification Nos. 2916485 and 3065147), according to the procedures described by S. Hanessan et al. in Tetrahedron Letters 4009 (1974) and in Canad. J. Chem., 56, 1482(1978).

O-Acylation or benzoylation gives the hexa-O-acyl or hexa-O-benzoyl derivative (2) which, by hydrolysis of the O-benzylidene group, gives the compound (3) containing two free hydroxy groups at C-4' and C-6'.

Selective benzoylation at the 6'- position yields the 6'-O-benzoyl derivative (4), a key intermediate having a single free hydroxy group at the 4'-position.

Three alternative routes are available from compound (4) to compound (6). The first is chlorination of the compound (4) with sulphuryl chloride in the presence of a base, preferably pyridine, to give the 4'-epi-chloro-4'-deoxy derivative (5) and dechlorination by treatment with tributyltin hydride, suitably in toluene in the presence of azobisisobutyronitrile. The second route is via the S-methyl dithiocarbonate (9), prepared by reacting compound (4) with carbon disulphide, a strong base and methyl iodide following the procedure described by T. Hayashi et al., Chem. Pharm. Bull., 26, 1986 (1978). The strong base is preferably sodium hydroxide. The S-methyl dithiocarbonate may then be reduced with tributyltin hydride to give the compound (6). The third route is via the S-phenyl dithiocarbonate (10).This may be obtained from compound (4) by treatment with phenylthio-thiocarbonyl chloride, C6H5S. CS.CI, in the presence of a base, preferably pyridine, following the procedure described byT. Hayashi eta., Chem. Pharm. Bull., 26, 1786 (1978). The S-phenyl dithiocarbonate (10) may be reduced with tributyltin hydride in the same way as the S-methyl dithiocarbonate (9) to give the compound (6).

De-O-acylation or De-O-benzoylation of compound (6) gives 4'-deoxy-penta-N-benzyloxycarbonylparomomycin (7), which may be reduced by transfer catalytic hydrogenolysis in the presence of 10% palladium-on-charcoal to give 4'-deoxyparomomycin (8). This can be purified by ion exchange on a column.

Similar de-O-acylation or de-O-benzoylation of compound (5) instead of compound (6) and similar reduction of the resultant compound (11) gives 4'-deoxy-4'-epi-chloroparomomycin (12).

Compounds of the formulae (5), (6), (7), (9), (10) and (11) are new compounds and are within the scope of the invention.

4'-deoxy-paromomycin (8) and 4'-deoxy-4'-epi-chloro-paromomycin (12) are useful as antibacterial agents, active against gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria and against protozo. The most straightforward approach to improving the spectrum of antibacterial activity of natural aminoglycoside antibiotics has been to remove or sterically hinder sites of enzymatic inactivation. It is known that the hydroxy group at 3'-position in the aminoglycoside antibiotics is susceptible of enzymatic inactivation by phosphotransferase enzymes produced by resistant bacterial strains and also that the absence of this hydroxy group leads to enhanced activity (Kirk-Othmer: "Encylopeidia of Chemical Technology", Vol. 2,3rd Ed. 1978 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.). Since the adjacent C-4' bearing a hydroxy group might be initimately involved in binding the inactivating enzymes, any modifications such as introduction of a chlorine atom or removal of the hydroxy group might be expected to lead to weaker binding and aberrant recognition.

The invention further provides a pharmaceutical composition comprising 4'-deoxy-paromomycin (8) or 4'-deoxy-4'-epi-chloro-paromomycin (12) in admixture with a pharmaceutically acceptable solvent, diluent or carrier.

Biological Activity 4'-deoxy-paromomycin (8) and 4'-deoxy-4'-epi-chloroparomomycin (12) display antibacterial activity "in vitro".

The "in vitro" tests are carried out with the method of serial dilutions in liquid medium (Nutrient Broth Difco) and the minimal inhibition concentration (MIC) is determined after 24 hours incubation at 37 C. As indicated in the Table, 4'-deoxy-paromomycin (8) shows similar potency when compared with paromomycin, against sensitive strains and an increased activity against some resistant strains of gram negative bacteria.

TABLE The minimum inhibitory concentrations fMcglmlJ of compounds 8 and 12 in comparison with paromomycin Strain Inactivating paromomycin 8 12 enzyme * Staphyiococcus aureus 209 P 1.55 1.55 6.25 Escherichia coli K 12 12.5 12.5 50 Escherichia coli K 12 - R 112 APH (3') 1 > 200 > 200 > 200 Escherichia coli K 12 - R 148 APH (3') 11 > 200 50 200 Escherichia coli K 12 - R 55 AAC (3)1 6.25 6.25 50 *APH (3') I : aminoglycoside 3'-phosphotransferase I APH (3') II : aminoglycoside 3'-phosphotransferase Il AAC (3)1: aminoglycoside 3-acetyltransferase I The novel compounds according to the invention can be used as antibiotics to treat similar diseases in a similar way to the parent compound paromomycin, the dosages being similar to those of paromomycin.

The usual solvents, diluents and carriers can be used in the preparation of suitable doses. The paromomycin derivatives are useful for the treatment of amoebic dysentery, shigellosis, and salmonellosis.

Thus, the compounds of this invention are valuable as anti-bacterial agents (especially for the suppression of intestinal bacteria), nutritional supplements in animal feeds, therapeutic agents in poultry and animals, including man, and are especially valuable in the treatment of infectious diseases caused by Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. They can be used in the treatment of systemic bacterial infections when administered parenterally in the dosage range of about 250 mg to about 3000 mg per day in divided doses three or four times a day. Generally the compounds are effective when administered at a dosage of about 5.0 to 7.5 mg/kg of body weight every 12 hours.

In addition to the compounds themselves, pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof can be formed and used in the usual way. For example, the mono-, di-, tri-, tetra- or penta-salts (where appropriate) can be formed by the interaction of one mole of the stated compounds with 1 to 5 moles of a pharmaceutically acceptable acid, for example citric acid, ascorbic acid, acetic acid, hydrochloric acid, sulphuric acid, maleic acid, nitric acid, phosphoric acid, hydrobromic acid, and other acids commonly used to form the salts of basic pharmaceuticals.

The following Examples, in which all temperatures are in degree Centigrade, illustrate the invention.

EXAMPLE 1 Hexa-O-acetyl-4', 6'-O-benzylidene-penta-N-benzyloxy-carbonylparomomycin (2; A = acetyl) 11.1 g of 4',6'-O-benzylidene-penta-N-benzyloxycarbonyl-paromomycin (1) (prepared as described in Can.

J. Chem. 56, 1482, 1978) were dissolved in 112 ml of pyridine and 56 ml of acetic anhydride were added. After three days at room temperature, the solution was added slowly to stirred ice and water. After stirring for 1 hour, the white solid obtained was filtered off, copiously washed with water and dissolved in methanol.

Evaporation off of the solvent gave 12.7 g of the title compound.

M.p. 124-127 .

[a]5 + 21.0 (c 0.500 CHCI3).

N.M.R. spectrum (60 MHz, CDCI3) showed a correct aromatic/acetyl proton ratio (1.66).

EXAMPLE 2 6,3',2",5",3''',4"'-Hexa-O-acetyl-penta-N-benzyloxy-carbonylparomomycin (3;A=acetyl ) A solution containing 12.3 g of the compound prepared in the preceding Example in 500 ml of acetic acid and 125 ml of water was allowed to stand for 90 hours at room temperature. The solvent was then evaporated off and the residue was dissolved in methanol and evaporated to dryness several times to give 11.6 g of the title compound as an amorphous solid.

M.P. 116-119".

[a]5 + 19.9 (CO. 537 CHCl3).

N.M.R. spectrum (60 MHz, CDC13) showed a correct aromaticlacetyl protons ratio (1.38).

EXAMPLE 3 6,3'2",5",3"',4"'-Hexa-O-acetyl-6'-O-benzoylpenta-N-benzyloxycarbonylparomomycin (4;A=acetyl) 10.1 g of the compound prepared in Example 2 were dissolved in 100 ml of dry pyridine and the solution was cooled to 0". A solution of 0.84 ml of benzoyl chloride in 2 ml of pyridine was added slowly and with stirring. The reaction mixture was kept at 0" and monitored by TLC. After 43 hours, 0.42 ml of benzoyl chloride in 1 ml of pyridine were added. After 67 hours more reagent was added (0.2 ml of benzoyl chloride in 0.5 ml of pyridine) and, after a total period of 96 hours, water was added and the mixture extracted with chloroform. The extracts were washed with water, 2 M hydrochloric acid, water, aqueous sodium bicarbonate, and water in that order. After drying and evaporation, 10.9 g of residue was obtained.The crude product was chromatographed on silica gel (0-2% methanol in chloroform) to give 5.8 g of the title compound in pure form, m.p. 110-115 , [ag5 + 26.3 Ic 1.096 CHCI3).

N.M.R. spectrum (60 MHz, CDCI3) showed a correct aromatic/acetyl protons ratio (1.67).

Elemental Analysis: Calculated for C52H91N5031: C% 59.95 H% 5.58 N% 4.26 Found: 59.87 5.77 4.19 EXAMPLE 4 6,3',2 "5",3"'4"'-l'exa- O-acetyl-6'-O-benzo yl-4epi-chloro-4'-deaxy-penta-N- benzyloxycarbonylparomomycin (5; A=acetyl) 1g of the compound prepared in Example 3 was dissolved in 15 ml of dry pyridine and 1.3 ml of sulfuryl chloride were added dropwise to the cooled (0") solution. After stirring for 3 hours at 0" and 18 hours at room temperature, most of the solvent was eliminated under vacuum and chloroform and water were added. After extraction with chloroform, extracts were washed with water, dried and evaporated, 'in vacuo'.The crude product was purified by preparation TLC and reprecipitation from chloroform-ether -hexane, to give 515 mg of the title compound in pure form, m.p. 105-115 , [a]025 + 30.3 (C 1.012 CHCl3). The compound showed the presence of chlorine and had Rf 0.37 in the solvent system toluene: ethyl acetate (1:1 by volume) (starting product 4: Rf 0.23).

Elemental Analysis: Calculated for C82H90C1N5O3@: C% 59.29 H% 5.46 C1% 2.13 N% 4.21 Found: 58.38 5.41 2.36 4.14 EXAMPLE 5 6,3, 2" ,5" ,3'", 4"'-Hexa- O-acetyl-6'- O-benzoyl-4'-deoxy-penta-N-benzloxycarbonylparomomycin (6; A =acetyl) A solution containing 400 mg of the compound prepared in Example 4 in 16 ml oftoluene was heated to reflux under a nitrogen atmosphere and 0.8 ml of tributyltin hydride in 0.8 ml of toluene and 20 mg of azobisisobutyronitrile were added.After 3 hours under reflux, the solvent was evaporated off and the solid residue was washed with n-hexane, dissolved in chloroform and added to a mixture of diethyl ether and n-hexane to precipitate 385 mg of the title compound in a form sufficiently pure for subsequent reactions, m.p. 125-130 , [a]D5 + 33.0 Ic 1.116 CHCI3). In the solvent system toluene: ethyl acetate (1:1 by volume), the compound had an Rf of 0.31.

Elemental Analysis: Calculated for C82H91N5O30: C% 60.54 H% 5.83 N% 4.30 Found: 59.90 5.59 4.30 EXAMPLE 6 4'-Deoxy-penta-N-benzyloxycarbonylparomomycin (7) 385 mg of the compound prepared in Example 5, without further purification, were dissolved in 14 ml of 0.05 N methanolic sodium methoxide and stirred at room temperature for 3 hours. Solid carbon dioxide and water were added and the solution was evaporated to dryness. Water was added to the residue and the mixture was extracted several times with ethyl acetate. The combined organic extracts were washed with water and evaporated to dryness to give 205 mg of crude product. Purification by preparative TLC, using chloroform: ethyl acetate: methanol 40:25:9 by volume as eluant, yielded 130 mg of the title compound in pure form, having an RF of 0.22 in the same solvent system, m.p. 125-130 , [a]o25 + 41.0 Ic 0.900 CHCI3).

(c 0.900 CHCI3).

Elemental Analysis: Calculated for C63H75N5023: C% 59.56 H% 5.95 N% 5.51 Found: 58.74 5.78 5.36 EXAMPLE 7 4'-Deoxyparnmom ycin (8) To a solution of 130 mg of the compound prepared in Example 6 in 16 ml of 80% ethanol, 1 ml of cyclohexene and 200 mg of 10% palladium-on-carbon were added. The mixture was refluxed for 1 > hours, filtered and evaporated 'in vacuo' to give 50 mg of residue. The crude product was purified on a column of CG 50 (NH4 + form, 100-200 mesh) yielding 21 mg of the title compound in pure form, m.p. 175-180" with decomposition.The product was homogeneous on TLC in the solvent system 28% ammonia:butanol:etha- nol:water5:8:10:7 by volume and had an Rf (double development) of 0.33, slightly higher than the Rf of lividomycin B (3'-deoxy-paromomycin): 0.30. Mass spectrum (field desorption) showed a peak at m/e 600 (MH+), and fragments at 440 and 455 indicating the deoxygenation site to be in ring A.

The product (free base) was converted into its sulphate form by adding 0.2M sulphuric acid at pH 6.4 M.p. (with decomposition) 230 (sulphate form) [a]D5 + 58 (c 1.115 H20) (sulphate form) Elemental Analysis (sulphate form): Calculated for C23H45N5O13.2H2SO4:C% 32.70 H% 5.96 N% 8.29 Found: 33.51 6.47 7.83 13C NMR (D20) (free base): 100.2 (C 1') 57.2 (C 2') 68.8 (C 3') 34.7 (C 4') 67.9 (C 5') 64.0 (C 6') EXAMPLE 8 6'3',2 5" ", 5,3rn,4rnexa0actyl50benzoyl40[{methyftio)thiocarbonyfJpentaNbenyoyaroy paromomycin, (9; A acetyl) Sodium hydroxide (0.28 ml) was added dropwise to an ice-cold solution of 400 mg of the compound prepared in Example 3 and 0.4 ml of carbon disulphide in 3 ml of dimethylsulphoxide.The mixture was stirred for 20 minutes at 0". Then 0.6 ml of methyl iodide were aded with cooiing and the mixture was stirred at room temperature for 30 minutes. Excess of volatile reagents was removed under reduced pressure and, after addition of salted water, the solution was extracted with ethyl acetate. The extracts were washed with salted water and then with water, dried and evaporated to give a mixture of three compounds having Rf 0.35, 0.42 and 0.53 respectively in the solvent system toluene:ethyl acetate 1:1 by volume. The major compound, that having the lowest Rf value, was isolated by preparative TLC obtaining 125 mg of the title compound in pure form.

EXAMPLE 9 6,3',2", 5", 3"' ,4"'-Hexa-O-acetyl-6'-O-benzoyl-4'-deoxy-penta-N-benzyloxycarbonylparomomycin (6; A-acetyl) To a refluxing solution of 125 mg of the compound prepared in Example 8 in 8 ml of dry toluene under nitrogen atmosphere were added 0.4 ml of tributyltin hydride in 0.8 ml of toiuene and 10 mg of azobisisobutyronitrile. After refluxing for 22 hours, the reaction mixture was processed as described in Example 5 to give 70 mg of a product indistinguishable from the product of Example 5.

EXAMPLE 10 fi3'2" ",5",3 4"'-Hexa-O-acetyl-6'-O-benzoyl-4'-0-[(phenylthio)thiocarbonyl]-penta-N-benzyloxycarbonyl- paromomycin, (10; A acetyl) A solution of the compound prepared in Example 3 (1 g) in 20 ml of dry pyridine was cooled to 0" and 4 g of (phenylthio)thiocarbonyl chloride and 100 mg of 4-dimethylaminopyndine were added. The mixture was stirred at room temperature for 5 days. Water and ice were added and the mixture extracted with chloroform.

The extracts were washed with water, 2 N hydrochloric acid, water, sodium bicarbonate solution and water, in that order, and dried by evaporation. The residue was chromatographed on silica gel (toluene:ethyl acetate, 1:1 by volume) and a further purification was achieved by preparative TLC and reprecipitation from chloroform:ether: hexane to give 600 mg of the title compound, chromatographically homogeneous, having an Rf of 0.34 in the solvent system toluene:ethyl acetate (1:1 by volume).

EXAMPLE 11 6'3',2 ,5,3%4rneQyzy4dypetaNboyca,bony[parnmomycjfl (6; A=acetyl) To a refluxing solution of the compound prepared in Example 10 (320 mg) in 13 ml of dry toluene, under nitrogen atmosphere, were added 2 ml of tributyltin hydride diluted with 4 ml of toluene and 30 mg of azobisisobutyronitrile. After refluxing for 2 hours, work-up as described in Example 5 gave 50 mg of the title compound.

EXAMPLE 12 4'-Deoxy-4'-epi-chloro-penta-N-benzyloxycarbonyl-paromomycin (11) 215 mg of the compound prepared in Example 4 were dissolved in 9 ml of 0.05 N methanolic sodium methoxide and stirred for 3 hours at room temperature. Work-up as described in Example 6 followed by preparative TLC gave 125 mg of the title compound in pure form, having a RF of 0.33 in the eluant system chloroform ethyl acetate:methanol (40:25:9 by volume).

EXAMPLE 13 4'-Deoxy-4'-epi-chloro-paromomycin ) 12) 125 mg of the compound prepared in Example 12 were dissolved in 16 ml of methanol, 6 ml of dioxan, 2.8 ml of water and 1.4 ml of acetic acid. 205 mg of 10% palladium-on-carbon were added and the mixture was hydrogenated at room temperature and pressure for 5 hours. After 2 hours more catalyst (100 mg) was added. The reaction mixture was filtered, washed with ethyl acetate, concentrated and freeze-dried to give a residue that was purified on a column of CG 50 (NH4+ form, 100-200 mesh) affording 52 mg of the title compound in pure form, m.p. 160-165" with decomposition. The product was homogeneous on TLC in the solvent system 28% ammonia:butanol :ethanol:water 5:8:10:7 (by volume) and had an RF (double development) of 0.36. Mass spectrum (field desorption) showed a peak at m/e 634 (MH+) and a peak at m/e 598 (MH±HCI).

Claims (15)

1. 4'-deoxy-paromomycin or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

2. 4'-deoxy-4'-epi-chloroparomomycin or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

3. 4'-deoxy-4'-epi-chloro-penta-N-benzloxycarbonyl-paromomycin.

4. 4'-deoxy-penta-N-benzyloxyca rbonyl paromomycin.

5. 6,3',2",5",3"',4"'-hexa-O-acewl-6'-0-benzoyl-4'-deoxy-penta-N-benzyloxycarbonyl-paromomycin.

6. 6,3',2",5",3"'A"'-hexa-0-acetyl-6'-O-benzoyl-4'-epi-chloro-4'-deoxy-penta-N- benzyloxycarbonylparomomycin.

7. 6,3,,2,,,5",3"',4"'-hexa-O-acetyl-6'-O-benzoyl-penta-N-benzyloxycarbonylparomomycin.

8. 6,3',2",5",3"',4"'-hexa-O-acetyl-6'-O-benzoyl-4'-O-[(methylthio)-thiocarbonyll-penta-N- benzyloxycarbonyl-paromomycin.

9. 6,3',2",5",3"'A"'-hexa-0-aceI-6'-O-benzoyl-4'-O-[(phenylthio)Ahiocarbonyl]-penta-N- benzyloxycarbonyl-paromomycin.

10. A process for the preparation of 4'-deoxy-paromomycin, the process comprising converting the 6,3',2",5",3"' and 4"' hydroxy groups of 4',6'-O-benzylidene-penta-N-benzyloxycarbonyl-paromomycin to O-acyl or O-benzoyl groups by acylation or benzoylation, hydrolyzing the resultant hexa-O-acyl or benzoyl-4',6'-O-benzylidene-penta-N-benzyloxy-carbonyl-paromomycin, converting the 6'-hydroxy group of the resultant 6,3',2",5",4"'-hexa-O-acyl or benzoyl-penta-N-benzyloxycarbonyl-paromomycin to a 6'-Obenzoyl group by selective benzoylation, converting the resultant 6'-benzoyl-6,3',2",5",3"',4"'-hexa-O-acyl or benzoyl-penta-N-benzoyloxycarbonyl-paromomycin to (a) the corresponding 4'-deoxy-4'-epi-chloro derivative or (b) the corresponding 4'-O-[(methylthio)-thiocarbonyl] derivative or (c) the corresponding 4'-O-[(phenylthio)-thiocarbonyl] derivative by treatment with (a) sulphuryl chloride or (b) carbon disulphide, a strong base and methyl iodide or (c) (phenylthio)-thiocarbonyl chloride in the presence of a base, reducing the 4'-deoxy-4'-epi-chloro-derivative, the 4'-O-[(methylthio)-thiocarbonyl] derivative or the 4'-O [(phenylthio)-thiocarbonyl] derivative with tributyltin hydride to obtain the corresponding 4'-deoxy derivative, removing the benzoyl groups or the benzoyl group and the acyl groups therefrom by hydrolysis, and removing the benzyloxycarbonyl groups from the resultant 4'-deoxy-penta-N-benzyloxycarbonyl- paromomycin by catalytical hydrogenation.

11. A process for the preparation of 4'-deoxy-paromomycin, the process being substantially as described herein with reference to Exampls 1 to 7, Examples 1 to 3,8,9,6 and 7 or Examples 1 to 3, 10, 11,6 and 7.

12. A process for the preparation of 4'-deoxy-4'-epi-chloro-paromomycin, the process comprising converting the 6,3',2",5",3"' and 4"' hydroxy groups of 4',6'-O-benzylidene-penta-N-benzyloxycarbonyl- paromomycin to O-acyl or O-benzoyl groups by acylation or benzoylation, hydrolyzing the resultant hexa-O-acyl or benzoyl-4',6'-O-benzylidene-penta-N-benzyloxycarbonyl-paramomycin, converting the 6'hydroxy group of the resultant 6,3',2",5",3"',4"'-hexa-O-acyl or benzoyl-penta-N-benzoyloxycarbonylparomomycin to a 6'-O-benzyl group by selective benzoylation, converting the resultant 6'-benzoyl6,3',2",5",3"',4"'-hexa-O-acyl or benzoyl-penta-N-benzyloxycarbonyl-paromomycin to the corresponding 4'-deoxy-4'-epi-chloro derivative by treatment with sulphuryl chloride, removing the benzoyl groups or the benzoyl group and the acyl groups from the 4'-deoxy-4'-epi-chloro derivative by hydrolysis and removing the benzoyloxycarbonyl groups from the resultant 4'-deoxy-4'-epi-chloro-penta-N-benzyloxycarbonylparomomycin by catalytic hydrogenation.

13. A process for the preparation of 4'-deoxy-4'-epi-chloro-paromomycin, the process being substantially as described herein with reference to Examples 1 to 4, 12 and 13.

14. A pharmaceutical composition comprising a compound according to claim 1 or claim 2 as active ingredient in admixture with a pharmaceutically acceptable solvent, diluent or carrier.

15. A pharmaceutical composition according to claim 15 in which the active ingredient is a salt of 4'-deoxy-paromomycin or 4'-deoxy-4'-epi-chloro-paromomycin with citric, ascorbic, acetic, hydrochloric, sulphuric, maleic, nitric, phosphoric or hydrobromic acid.