Synthesis of 5-deoxy-5-fluoro- and 5-deoxy-5,5-difluoro-netilmicin.

5-Deoxy-5-fluoro- (9) and 5-deoxy-5,5-difluoro-netilmicin (27) have been prepared from the corresponding 5-epi and 5-oxo derivatives of netilmicin by treatment with DAST. Structures of the fluorinated by-products (10, 11, and 12) obtained in one of the synthesis of 9 were determined. 5-Epi-netilmicin (13) and 5-epi-6'-N-methyl-netilmicin (21) have also been prepared.