penicillinate

Penicillinate refers to a salt or ester of penicillanic acid. Penicillanic acid is a beta-lactam ring fused to a thiazolidine ring. This core structure is fundamental to the penicillin class of antibiotics. Therefore, penicillinate compounds are often related to or derived from penicillin.

Salts of penicillanic acid are common pharmaceutical formulations. For example, potassium penicillin G and sodium penicillin G are widely used forms of penicillin antibiotics. These salts enhance the solubility and stability of the penicillin molecule, making them suitable for medical administration. Esters of penicillanic acid are also known. These can be synthesized to modify the pharmacokinetic properties of penicillin, such as absorption and duration of action. For instance, some ester prodrugs are designed to be hydrolyzed in the body to release the active penicillin.

The term "penicillinate" itself directly implies the presence of the penicillanic acid moiety. While often associated with the antibiotic properties of penicillins, the term can also be used in a broader chemical context to describe any compound containing the penicillanic acid structure. The biological activity of penicillinate compounds is typically linked to their ability to inhibit bacterial cell wall synthesis by interfering with transpeptidases. However, the specific therapeutic efficacy and properties depend heavily on the substituents attached to the penicillanic acid core.