Abstract
Polymers of cefsulodin sodium (CFS) formed in aqueous solution were isolated by Sephadex G-25 gel filtration and purified by dialysis in Visking tubes. Their structures were investigated chemically and by ultraviolet, infrared and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. From the results, the following polymerization process is suggested : Opening of the β-lactam ring of CFS is followed by decarboxylation, and successive cleavage of the thiazine ring results in the formation of 2-(α-sulfophenylacetamido) acetaldehyde. Aldol condensation of this aldehyde may produce polymers. The polymerization may be terminated by reaction with the isonicotinamide group of CFS. This polymerization process is different from those of penicillins previously reported by several research groups.
