One-pot, two-step enzymatic synthesis of amoxicillin by complexing with Zn2+.

A one-pot, two-step enzymatic synthesis of amoxicillin from penicillin G, using penicillin acylase, is presented. Immobilized penicillin acylase from Kluyvera citrophila was selected as the biocatalyst for its good pH stability and selectivity. Hydrolysis of penicillin G and synthesis of amoxicillin from the 6-aminopenicillanic acid formed and D-p-hydroxyphenylglycine methyl ester were catalyzed in situ by a single enzyme. Zinc ions can react with amoxicillin to form complexes, and the yield of 76.5% was obtained after optimization. In the combined one-pot synthesis process, zinc sulfate was added to remove produced amoxicillin as complex for shifting the equilibrium to the product in the second step. By controlling the conditions in two separated steps, the conversion of the first and second step was 93.8% and 76.2%, respectively. With one-pot continuous procedure, a 71.5% amoxicillin yield using penicillin G was obtained.