Abstract: A process for preparation of cefuroxime axetil of formula (I) of at least 96% purity and substantially free of analogous ?2-isomer of formula (II) and other impurities. The process comprises reacting cefuroxime acid of formula (III) with (R,S)-1-acetoxyethyl bromide of formula (IV), and a Group I or II metal carbonate in the presence of a compound of formula (V), MmHnPqOr??(V) wherein M is Group I or II metal; m is 1, 2, 3; n is 0, 1, 2, or 4; q is 1 or 2; r is 4, 7 or 8; in the presence of a C1-4 alcohol and a polar tertiary amide solvent selected from N,N-dimethylacetamide, N,N-dimethylformamide, N,N-dimetheylpropionamide, N,N-diethylacetamide, N,N-diethylformamide and N,N-diethylpropionamide at a temperature ranging from about ?30 to +30° C. and subjecting the product thus obtained to a desired step of purification.

Abstract: An improved method for synthesis of cefuroxime axetil of formula (I) in high purity substantially free of the corresponding 2-cephem(&Dgr;2)-ester of formula (II) and other impurities. The compound produced is valuable as a prodrug ester of the corresponding cephalosporin-4-carboxylic acid derivative i. e. cefuroxime, particularly suitable for oral administration in various animal species and in man for treatment of infections caused by gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria.

Abstract: A process for the stereospecific synthesis of keto-enol tautomeric mixture of p-nitrobenzyl (1R,6R,7R)-7-phenoxyacetamido-3-oxo-3-cepham-4-(R/S)-carboxylate-1-oxide and p-nitrobenzyl (1R,6R,7R)-7-phenoxyacetamido-3-hydroxy-3-cephem-4-carboxylate-1-oxide is described. These compounds are valuable intermediates for the synthesis of cephalosporin antibiotics e.g. cefaclor.

Abstract: A process for the stereospecific synthesis of keto-enol tautomeric mixture of p-nitrobenzyl(1R,6R,7R)-7-phenoxyacetamido-3-oxo-3-cepham-4-(R/S)-carboxyl ate-1-oxide and p-nitrobenzyl(1R,6R,7R)-7-phenoxyacetamido-3-hydroxy-3-cephem-4-carboxylat e-1-oxide is described. This process comprisesa) reaction of 7-phenoxyacetamido-3-exomethylene-cepham-4-carboxylic acid p-nitrobenzyl ester with ozone in a inert solvent such as acetone, or methylethyl ketone optionally in the presence of a protic solvent such as methanol, acetic acid or isopropanol at a temperature ranging from -90.degree. C. to -40.degree. C. to give the corresponding ozonide and,b) decomposition of the ozonide to keto-enol tautomeric mixture of p-nitrobenzyl(1R,6R,7R)-7-phenoxyacetamido-3-oxo-3-cepham-4-(R/S)-carboxyl ate-1-oxide and p-nitrobenzyl(1R,6R,7R)-7-phenoxyacetamido-3-hydroxy-3-cephem-4-carboxylat e-1-oxide without use of any reducing agent.

Abstract: An improved method for the preparation of 2-chloro sulfinyl azetidin-4-one of the formula: ##STR1## wherein R is: hydrogen; C.sub.1 -C.sub.3 alkyl; halomethyl; cyanomethyl; phenyl; substituted phenyl; phenoxy, benzyloxy- or substituted benzyl; a group of the formula R.sub.2 --O--wherein R.sub.2 is t-butyl, 2,2,2-trichloroethyl, benzyl or substituted benzyl; a group of the formula R.sub.3 --(O).sub.n --CH.sub.2 wherein R.sub.3 is phenyl or substituted phenyl. The 2-chlorosulfinylazetidin-4-one is prepared by reacting a penicillin sulfoxide ester of the general formula ##STR2## wherein R and R.sub.1 have the meanings defined above with an N-chloro halogenating agent in an inert organic solvent. The reaction is carried out in the presence of an acid scavenging amount of a phosphate or hydrogen phosphate of an alkali metal, alkaline earth metal, ammonium, quaternary ammonium or mixtures thereof.

Abstract: A process for the manufacture of 3-exomethylene cepham sulfoxide ester of the formula ##STR1## wherein R is hydrogen, C.sub.1 -C.sub.3 alkyl, halomethyl, phenyl, substituted phenyl cyanomethyl, phenoxy, benzyloxy or substituted benzyl with a substituent group such as that selected from halo, alkyl, alkoxy, protected hydroxy, nitro, cyano and trifiuoromethyl, a group of the formula R.sub.2 --0-- wherein R.sub.2 is t-butyl, 2,2,2-trichloro ethyl, benzyl or substituted benzyl; a group of the formula R.sub.3 --[0].sub.n --CH.sub.2, wherein R.sub.3 is phenyl or substituted phenyl with the substituent group selected from halo, alkyl, alkoxy, protected hydroxy, nitro, cyano, or 1,4-cyclohexadienyl, and n is 0 or 1; or a substituted arylalkyl group of formula R.sub.4 --CH where R.sub.4 has the same meaning as R.sub.3 defined above and W is a protected hydroxy or protected amino group; and R.sub.1 is a carboxylic acid protecting group such as that selected from the group consisting of C.sub.1 -C.sub.