Screening of our compound collection using Staphylococcus aureus Ni–Peptide deformylase (PDF) afforded a very potent PDF inhibitor with an IC50 in the low nanomolar range but with poor antibacterial activity (MIC). Three-dimensional structural information obtained from Pseudomonas aeruginosa Ni–PDF complexed with the inhibitor suggested the synthesis of a variety of analogues that would maintain high binding affinity while ...