Generalized formula for cephalosporins

Generalized formula for cephalosporins

In cephalosporin C

Cepahlosporin C contains a side-chain derived from _D-α-aminoadipic acid, which is attached to 7-aminocephalosporanic acid

In cephalosporin N

A compound structurally similar to cephalosporin P is called fusidic acid

Nomenclatures

Cephalosporins are named in the following ways:

1.           Chemical abstracts: 5-Thia-1-azobicyclo (4.2.0) octanes. Accordingly, cephalothin is 3-(Acetoxy methyl)-8-oxo-7-(2-thienyl) acetamido-5thia-1-aza-bicyclo[4.2.0]-oct-2ene-2-carboxylic acid.

2.           Cepham derivatives: Cepham is the name given to the unsubstituted bicyclic lactam.