Some novel 7-[2- or 3-(cyanomethyl)piperazinyl]quinolones have been prepared. Most notable, 2-cyanomethyl-piperazine 5 and 1-methyl-2-cyanomethylpiperazine 8 at the quinolone C-7 position produce products with good in vitro antibacterialactivity. The key step in the synthesis of these products involves the regioselective deprotection of the benzyl group in function of the time reaction.