Strains of antibiotic resistant bacteria pose a serious global threat to human health. Over the past decade, this threat has become even more severe as number of resistant strains of bacteria has increased dramatically while the introduction of new antibiotics has stagnated. The discovery and synthesis of novel antibacterial compounds is a crucial step towards inhibiting the rise of drug resistant bacteria. This study represents an initial investigation of the potential antibacterial properties of denbinobin, a naturally occurring phenanthrenequinone and known cytotoxin. Denbinobin will be prepared in house by means of a seven-step organic synthesis. The phenanthrene backbone of denbinobin is produced via the aluminum chloride mediated cyclization of a stilbeniod intermediate compound. Denbinobin and analogs of denbinobin will be evaluated for antibiotic activity against a panel of Gram positive and Gram negative bacteria via a standard broth microdilution assay. The results of this study may direct the field of novel antibiotic discovery towards a new natural compound of interest.
