Synthesis and structure-activity relationships of 2-alkylidenethiazolidine-4,5-diones as antibiotic agents.

2-Alkylidenethiazolidine-4,5-diones were prepared by novel one-pot cyclizations of arylacetonitriles with isothiocyanates and ethyl 2-chloro-2-oxoacetate. The products show antibiotic activity against the Gram-positive bacteria Bacillus subtilis and Staphylococcus aureus.