A series of diverse beta-lactam analogues of nocardicins with interesting antimicrobial properties were prepared. Coupling of glucosamine to these compounds improved their water solubility. Aminoacid derivatives produced a stereoinduction on the quaternary enantiotopic carbon of the starting compound 1. Evaluation of their antimicrobial activity showed that the introduction of alpha-amninoacids to monobactams increased their activity. The importance of asymmetric carbon is exemplified by the higher antibiotic activity of L-alpha-aminoacids than the D-series. No significant difference was observed between fluorinated and non-fluorinated monobactams.