Partial degradation reactions of the macrocyclic lactam-lacton antibiotic myxovirescin Al (1) yield the key building blocks 2 and 26. From these myxovirescin analoga are reconstituted with various alkyl groups at position C-2 with R and S configuration. Furthermore a ring- contracted (24) and a ringenlarged (29) macrocycle are synthesized. The growth of E. coli is best inhibited by the natural myxovirescin Al with a (2s) propyl substitution whilst 24 and ...