Abstract: Disclosed are substituted N-methylene derivatives of thienamycin sulfoxide (I, n=1) and sulfone (I, n=2) which may be represented by the following structural formula: ##STR1## wherein X and Y are selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, R, OR, SR, and NR.sup.1 R.sup.2 wherein, inter alia, R is substituted or unsubstituted: alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl, aryl, aralkyl, heteroaryl, heteroaralkyl, heterocyclyl, and heterocyclylalkyl; R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 are hydrogen or R. Such compounds and their pharmaceutically acceptable salt, ether, ester and amide derivatives are useful as antibiotics. Also disclosed are processes for the preparation of such compounds; pharmaceutical compositions comprising such compounds; and methods of treatment comprising administering such compounds and compositions when an antibiotic effect is indicated.

Abstract: Disclosed are substituted N-methylene derivatives of thienamycin which may be represented by the following structural formula: ##STR1## wherein X and Y are selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, R, OR, SR, and NR.sup.1 R.sup.2 wherein, inter alia, R is substituted or unsubstituted: alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl, aryl, aralkyl, heteroaryl, heteroaralkyl, heterocyclyl, and heterocyclylalkyl; R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 are hydrogen or R. Such compounds and their pharmaceutically acceptable salt, ether, ester and amide derivatives are useful as antibiotics. Also disclosed are processes for the preparation of such compounds; pharmaceutical compositions comprising such compounds; and methods of treatment comprising administering such compounds and compositions when an antibiotic effect is indicated.