Design and Synthesis of Malonamide Derivatives as Antibiotics against Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus.

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a serious threat to humans. Most existing antimicrobial drugs, including the β-lactam and quinoxiline classes, are not effective against MRSA. In this study, we synthesized 24 derivatives of malonamide, a new class of antibacterial agents and potentiators of classic antimicrobials. A derivative that increases bacterial killing and biofilm eradication with low cell toxicity was created.