Monocyclic β-lactam tripeptide, 1-(D-carboxy-2-methylpropyl)-3-L-(δ-L-2-aminoadipamido)-4-L-mercaptoazetidin-2-one, a putative intermediate in penicillin biosynthesis

Abstract

The disulphide corresponding to the above thiol has been synthesised but all attempts to reduce this substance to the thiol have been unsuccessful, although an alternative procedure, via a thiomercury intermediate, enabled the thiol to be generated in situ; the properties of this thiol, however, are not in accord with those described for a putative intermediate in penicillin biosynthesis.