Phosphinic Acid analogues of methylaspartic and methylglutamic acids as antibacterials.

DL-l-Amino-l-methyl-3-carboxypropanephosphinic acid, a bioisostere of α-methylglutamic acid, was synthesized. This compound, the corresponding α-methylaspartic acid analogue and their precursors were tested for antibacterial activity. The methylaspartic acid analogue gave a MIC of 400 and 800 µg/ml against B. subtilis and P. aeroginosa, respectively.