Process for obtaining compounds usable in the production of Cefotetan, and new compounds obtained thereby

摘要

A safe and economical process for obtaining salts of 4-carboxy-3-hydroxy-5-mercapto-isothiazole. This process comprises refluxing a disodium or dipotassium salt of 3-hydroxy-5-mercapto-4-isothiazole carbonitrile in an aqueous solution of sodium or potassium hydroxide to produce the desired salt. The desired salt may be precipitated out of solution by adjusting the pH downward to a minimum value of about pH 8. Compounds produced by this process may be used for producing semi-synthetic cephalosporins.