Introduction:The rising numbers of multiple drug-resistant (MDR) pathogens and the
consequent antibacterial therapy failure that resulted in severe medical conditions push to illustrate
new molecules with extended activity against the resistant strains. In this manner, chemical
derivatization of known antibiotics is proposed to save efforts in drug discovery, and penicillins
serve as an ideal in this regard.Methods:Seven synthesized 6-aminopenicillanic acid-imine derivatives (2a-g) were structure elucidated
using FT-IR, 1H NMR, 13C NMR, and MS spectroscopy. In silico molecular docking and
ADMET studies were made. The analyzed compounds obeyed Lipinski’s rule of five and showed
promising in vitro bactericidal potential when assayed against E. coli, E. cloacae, P. aeruginosa,
S. aureus, and A. baumannii. MDR strains using disc diffusion and microplate dilution techniques.Results:The MIC values were 8 to 32 μg/mL with more potency than ampicillin, explained by
better membrane penetration and more ligand-protein binding capacity. The 2g entity was active
against E. coli. This study was designed to find new active penicillin derivatives against MDR
pathogens.Conclusion:The products showed antibacterial activity against selected MDR species and good
PHK, PHD properties, and low predicted toxicity, offering them as future candidates that require
further preclinical assays.