Erythromycin VI: kinetics of acid-catalyzed hydrolysis of erythromycin oxime and erythromycylamine.

Kinetic data were obtained, by qualitative and quantitative analysis, of the hydrolytic degradation of erythromycin oxime and erythromycylamine separated by TLC. The pseudo-first-order rate constants were determined at three temperatures (17,26, and 36 degrees), and the temperature dependency of the reaction was studied. The activation energy for the hydrolysis and methanolysis of the compounds was calculated. The factors contributing to the differences in the reaction rate are discussed.