Synthesis of deuterium- and tritium-labeled 6 beta-bromopenicillanic acid

The synthesis of 6 beta-bromopenicillanic acid labeled with deuterium and tritium in the beta-methyl group is described. The S-sulfoxide of benzyl- or p-methoxybenzyl 6 alpha-bromopenicillanate is refluxed in benzene containing an excess of tert-BuOD, D2O or HTO. After deoxygenation and deprotection of the ester, the labeled 6 alpha-bromopenicillanic acid is epimerized (N,O-bis(trimethylsilyl)acetamide/1,5-diazabicyclo[4.3.0]non-5-ene in CH2Cl2). The two epimers are separated by column chromatography.