PURPOSE: To provide the subject new compound useful as an antibacterial agent.

CONSTITUTION: A compound of formula I [R1 and R2 are each H or a lower alkyl; X is CH2OR3 (R3 is H or a lower alkyl); Y is CH2OR4 (R4 is H or a lower alkyl) and X forms X-Y such as CO-O-CH2 or CH2-O-CO together with Y]. The compound of formula I can be obtained by reacting a compound of formula II with a reducing agent such as sodium borohydride in a mixture solvent of dioxane and water.