Process for preparing cephalosporanic acid derivatives using alpha-ketoacid derivatives

摘要

A process for preparing cephalosporanic acid derivatives comprises the steps of enzymatically converting a 3-thiolated cephalosporin C compound of formula III: into a 3-thiolated-alpha-ketoadipyl-7-aminocephalosporanic acid derivative of formula IV: wherein R is a heterocyclic group comprising at least a nitrogen atom. Compounds of formula IV are used in the preparation of cephalosporin C antibiotics and derivatives thereof.