Azithromycin

Abstract

Azithromycin (CAS number: 83905-01-5) was obtained by Beckman rearrangement of the oxime derivative of the ketone of erythromycin (see Chapter 59, Erythromycin), leading to a 15-membered macrocycle, followed by its reduction and N-alkylation (hence the name of azalide given to this class of compounds) (Bright et al., 1988; Djokic et al., 1987). The molecular formula is C38H72N2O12 and the molecular weight is 749; the structure is shown in Figure 62.1.