Practical, stereoselective synthetic methods were applied to the preparation of a series of ten chiral b-keto amides. The antimicrobial activity of these compounds with respect to S. aureus, B.sutilis, E. coli and C.albicans was evaluated. It was found that of 3-(4-fluorophenyl)-N-[(S)-1-cyclohexylethyl]-3-oxopropanamide suppressed the growth of test microbes, with a minimum inhibitory concentration of 125 mg/ml against B.subtilis, S.aureus and 3- (4-chlorophenyl)-3-oxo-N-[(R)-1-phenylethyl]propanamide with a minimum inhibitory concentration of 125
g/ml against E. coli and C.albicans. The other tested compounds were significantly less active.