Abstract: Applicants have developed a process for purifying an ampicillin pro-drug ester, e.g., bacampicillin, or an acid addition salt thereof of formula I. The process comprises a step wherein a crude solution of the pro-drug ester is subjected to an evaporation which is controlled by the evaporation rate of the organic solvent such that a continuous operation is accomplished for the crystallization of the desired purified pro-drug ester or salt thereof. Said crystallization is preferably preceded by an aqueous phase extraction and/or an organic phase extraction, both preferably also being performed continuously.

Abstract: Stereoconservative method for preparation of an (R)- or (S)-isomer of the compound of the formula I with at least 95% optical purity ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 is a hydrogen atom, a saturated or unsaturated lower alkyl group, a cycloalkyl group, or a group (CH.sub.2).sub.m Ph wherein m is 0-3 and Ph is a substituted or unsubstituted phenyl group including1) O,N-dialkylation, directly or stepwise of (R)- or (S)-proline2) aminolysis3) reduction to formation of the (R)- or (S)-isomer of the compound of the formula I, and new intermediates II and III in optical active form obtained by the reaction steps above and wherein R.sup.2 is defined as R.sup.1 above.