| abstract |
A process for converting cephalosporin p-nitrobenzyl ester (Formula I) to the corresponding cephalosporin free acid (Formula II) comprising treating the cephalosporin p-nitrobenzyl ester with a metal selected from the group consisting of iron, magnesium, aluminum, and tin, and with hydrochloric acid in a mixture of water and a water-miscible organic solvent. Preferably, the metal is iron in the form of a fine powder, and the reaction is carried out at a temperature in the range of 30-50°C. |