Process for 6-O-alkylation of erythromycin derivatives
 A procedure for preparing 6-O-alkyl erythromycin compounds having the formula: ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 is a loweralkyl group, R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 are independently hydrogen or a hydroxy-protecting group, except that R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 may not both be hydrogen simultaneously; Y is oxygen or a specifically substituted oxime; and Z is hydrogen, hydroxy or protected-hydroxy; by reaction of the compound wherein R.sup.1 is hydrogen with an alkylating reagent, in the presence of a strong alkali metal base and also in the presence of a weak organic amine base, in a suitable stirred or agitated polar aprotic solvent, or a mixture of such polar aprotic solvents maintained at a reaction temperature and for a period of time sufficient to effect alkyation. 
Abbott Laboratories
Y A C
Y02P A61P C07H
additional inventional inventional
Stephen H. George A. Jih-Hua
Montgomery Foster, Jr. Liu