| abstract |
An improved, versatile method for producing 7-cephalosporin derivatives having a 7-alkylthio or 7-arylthio group which comprises treating a 7-substituted imino halide, imino ether or iminothio ether of 7-aminocephalosporanic acid, 7-amino-3-desacetoxycephalosporanic acid and the like with a thiolating agent in the presence of a base, to obtain the thio derivative. These products are particularly useful for conversion to 7 alpha -alkylthio or 7 alpha -arylthio-7-acylamino intermediates which are converted to lower alkoxy cephalosporin derivatives useful as antibacterial agents. |