CefmenoximeCefmenoxime is a third-generation cephalosporin antibiotic.SynthesisThe alkylation of ethyl 2-hydroxyimino-3-oxobutanoate with dimethylsulfate gives ethyl -2-methoxyimino-3-oxo-butanoate. Halogenation with molecular bromine leads to ethyl 4-bromo-2-methoxyimino-3-oxobutanoate. Treatment with thiourea gives ethyl -2--2-methoxyiminoacetate which is reacted with chloroacetyl chloride to give the amide. Saponification with potassium hydroxide gives which is halogenated with phosphorus pentachloride to. Amide formation with the cephalosporin intermediate then gives. Removal of the protecting group with benzyltriethylammonium bromide yields. The tert-butyl ester was deprotected with trifluoroacetic acid to give. Lastly, thioether formation with 5-mercapto-1-methyltetrazole completes the synthesis of cefmenoxime.