7-aminocephalosporanic acid

**7-aminocephalosporanic acid (7-ACA)** is a natural beta-lactam compound and the core chemical structure used as a synthon for the synthesis of cephalosporin antibiotics. It serves as the essential nucleus for producing a wide range of semisynthetic cephalosporins by chemical modification at specific positions on its bicyclic structure. Cephalosporins derived from 7-ACA are broad-spectrum antibiotics effective against various Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria due to their ability to inhibit bacterial cell wall synthesis by binding to penicillin-binding proteins and blocking peptidoglycan cross-linking[1][8]. The compound itself is not used therapeutically but is an industrial intermediate in pharmaceutical manufacturing[1][4][5].

Other names

7-ACA(6R,7R)-3-(acetyloxymethyl)-7-amino-8-oxo-5-thia-1-azabicyclo[4.2.0]oct-2-ene-2-carboxylic acid957-68-6(7R)-7-Aminocephalosporanate7-Aminocephalosporinic acid