Aminocarboxylic acids related to aspergillomarasmine A (AMA) and ethylenediamine-N,N′-disuccinic acid (EDDS) are strong zinc-binders and inhibitors of the metallo-beta-lactamase NDM-1

Aminocarboxylic acid analogues of aspergillomarasmine A (AMA) and ethylenediamine-N,N′-disuccinic acid (EDDS) were prepared via a robust chemoenzymatic approach. These compounds display potent inhibition of the bacterial resistance enzyme NDM-1.

Electrophilic activation of aminocarboxylic acid by phosphate ester promotes Friedel–Crafts acylation by overcoming charge–charge repulsion

o-Methyl salicylates enhance the reactivity of the phosphate ester via a protonation-induced conformational change to generate acyl phosphate, thereby overwhelming the charge–charge repulsion associated with formation of the acylium ion, enabling aromatic ketones to be generated from various carboxylic acids.