REACTIVE EXTRACTION OF PENICILLIN .1. STABILITY OF PENICILLIN-G IN THE PRESENCE OF CARRIERS AND RELATIONSHIPS FOR DISTRIBUTION COEFFICIENTS AND DEGREES OF EXTRACTION

The decomposition of penicillin G as a function of time, pH, solvent and carrier type is explored and the optimum pH range for penicillin recovery is determined for different buffers. Relationships for distribution coefficients and degrees of extraction are devised and evaluated as functions of the concentrations of penicillin and carrier, the equilibrium constant of the reaction, the pK//s of penicillin, the pH of the medium and the partition coefficient of undissociated acid between the aqueous and organic phases. Non-stoichiometric reactions between penicillin and carrier and coextractions of other organic acids are also considered.