Sulfuric Acid → Clavulanic Acid

Participants

Reaction Steps

A solution of potassium clavulanate in ice cold water was stirred with ethyl acetate under cooling with ice-water. With a solution of about 10% (w/w) sulphuric acid the pH was brought at about 2, the water layer separated and two times extracted with ethyl acetate. The collected extracts were dried with magnesium sulphate, filtered and washed with ethyl acetate, yielding a solution of clavulanic acid of about 2% (w/w).

Provenance & Evidence