How Ampicillin is Produced?

Ampicillin is an antibiotic used in the treatment of infections caused by certain bacteria. It is a type of penicillin, and is effective against certain gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria. The production of ampicillin is a complex process involving multiple steps.

Raw Materials

The primary raw materials required for the production of ampicillin are:

• 6-aminopenicillanic acid (6-APA)
• Magnesium chloride
• Sodium hydroxide
• Ethyl acetate
• Acetic acid

Manufacturing Process

The production of ampicillin involves several steps, as follows:

Step 1 - Preparation of 6-APA

6-APA is prepared from penicillin G, which is obtained from a culture of Penicillium chrysogenum. Penicillin G is reacted with acetic anhydride and a base to form 6-APA.

Step 2 - Reaction of 6-APA with Magnesium Chloride and Sodium Hydroxide

In this step, 6-APA is reacted with magnesium chloride and sodium hydroxide to form ampicillin. This reaction is carried out in an organic solvent such as ethyl acetate.

Step 3 - Separation and Purification

The reaction mixture obtained in step 2 is then subjected to separation and purification to obtain the desired product, ampicillin. This is done by adding acetic acid to the reaction mixture and then filtering the solution. The resulting solution is then evaporated to obtain crude ampicillin.

Step 4 - Final Purification

In this step, the crude ampicillin obtained in step 3 is further purified to obtain pure ampicillin. This is done by recrystallization of the crude ampicillin in a suitable solvent, such as ethanol.

Conclusion

The production of ampicillin involves several steps, starting from the preparation of 6-APA from penicillin G to the final purification of the product. It requires various raw materials and chemicals, including 6-APA, magnesium chloride, sodium hydroxide, ethyl acetate and acetic acid. The final product obtained is pure ampicillin, which is used in the treatment of infections caused by certain bacteria.