Substances derived from 4-de-N-methylfortimicin B.

Abstract
The preparation of 4-de-N-methylfortimicin A analogs and the preparation of 4-de-N-methyl-4-N-(.beta.-aminoethyl)-4-N-ethylfortimicin B is reported. The 4-N-methyl group in fortimicin analogs is essential for antibacterial activity since neither the 4-de-N-methylfortimicin A nor the 4-de-N-methyl-4-N-(.beta.-aminoethyl)-4-N-ethylfortimicin B exhibited useful biological activity.