Application of 1H nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy to the analysis of beta-lactam antibiotics and their common degradation products.

The (1)H NMR characteristics of the majority of penicillin and cephalosporin beta-lactam antibiotics in world-wide clinical use are presented. Some of the data are novel and include several high resolution (220, 400 MHz) spectra. The influence of solvent and ionisation state upon spectral parameters is discussed and a scheme of analysis proposed for identifying an unknown beta-lactam sample. Spectral features of common degradation products of benzylpenicillin and other penicillins are provided and the use of (1)H NMR spectroscopy in monitoring the breakdown of penicillin antibiotics described. Other aspects discussed are NMR studies of the stereochemistry, association and protein binding of beta-lactam antibiotics.