Biomimetic synthesis of penicillin

Abstract

A working chemical model for the carbon–sulphur bond formation step involved in penicillin biosynthesis is peroxide, thus, oxidation of a monocyclic β-lactam thiol, or its disulphide form, with dioxygen or hydrogen peroxide, catalysed by iron(II) ion, ascorbic acid and ethylenediaminetetra-acetic acid, results in direct ring closure to penicillins as well as cephams, in a process similar to the enzymatic synthesis.