| abstract |
The present invention relates to a process for reducing the levels of organic solvents to pharmaceutically acceptable levels in thermally unstable crystalline carbapenem solids represented by formula I: n n n or a salt thereof, wherein R 1 and R 2 , are the same or different, and are selected from H, alkyl, aryl, and heteroaryl, comprising washing a carbapenem solid containing organic solvent with an organic solvent containing water; and using vacuum and/or inert gas (hydrated or dry) at low temperature to produce a compound of formula I containing pharmaceutically acceptable levels of organic solvents, wherein the water content of the crystalline carbapenem solid, correcting for organic solvents, is maintained at about 13% to about 25% during the process. |