New Approach to the Synthesis of Benzhydryl 6α-Bromopenicillanic Acid -1-Oxide

The synthesis of Benzhydryl 6a-Bromopenicillanic acid -1-oxide with air catalyzed by Fe(NO3)3-FeBr3 using Benzhydryl 6a-Bromopenicillanic acid as starting material was reported. The oxidation was selective and no sulfone was formed. Compared with conventional method, using the Fe(NO3)3-FeBr3 as catalyst, the reaction time was reduced from 4 h to 1 h and the yield was enhanced from 65.0% to 93.5%.