Chemical changes following γ-irradiation of benzylpenicillin in aqueous solution

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
The effects of γ-irradiation on aqueous solutions of sodium benzylpenicillin have been investigated. Pulse radiolysis indicates that both hydrated electrons and hydroxyl radicals are responsible for the degradation between 10–4 and 10–2 M solute concentrations. Reaction of hydroxyl radicals with the benzene ring of the penicillin side-chain leads to the formation of o-, m-, and p-hydroxybenzylpenicillins. Hydroxyl radicals also induce cleavage of the β-lactam ring, yielding benzylpenilloic and benzylpenicilloic acid. Reaction of hydrated electrons with penicillins generally lead to molecular rearrangements yielding products such as benzylpenillic acid.

This publication has 0 references indexed in Scilit: