Sodium Cephalothin

Abstract

This chapter discusses the physical properties and synthesis of sodium cephalothin. The infrared spectrum of sodium cephalothin is presented in the chapter. On electron impact in the mass spectrometer the sodium salt of cephalothin does not yield a satisfactory spectrum. The free acid of cephalothin gives a mass spectrum when the sample is flashed into the ion source using an ion source temperature of about 300°C and a separately heated direct probe into the ion source. Sodium cephalothin is very soluble in water, formamide, dimethyl sulfoxide, and ethylene and propylene glycol, slightly soluble in lower alcohols, and insoluble in nonpolar organic solvents. A thermogravimetric analysis performed on sodium cephalothin showed no weight loss until 154°C, when weight loss begins resulting in decomposition. The optical crystallographic properties of cephalothin are determined in the chapter. Cephalothin is a semisynthetic β-lactam antibiotic prepared by the reaction of thiophene-2-acetyl chloride with 7-aminocephalosporanic acid. The cephalosporanic nucleus is obtained from cephalosporin C which is produced by a fungus identified as Cephalosporium acremonium No. 49137.