A rapid procedure to prepare cefotaxime

A rapid procedure is reported for the synthesis of cefotaxime, by acylation of the 7-amino cephalosporanic acid with the 2-mercaptobenzothiazolyl thio ester of (Z)-2-[2-aminothiazol-4-yl]-2-methoxyimino acetic acid (MAEM) that is a commercial reagent. The reaction was carried out at room temperature for 1 h, obtaining 95% yield. 2-Mercaptobenzothiazole was recovered as a si de-product with a high purity and yield. The proposed method differentiates from those reported previously for a shorter time and very mild reaction c ondition, as well as for a ready for use reagent. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science S.A. All rights reserved.