Thermal investigations of cefadroxil complexes with transition metals

The cefadroxil (Cef) complexes with transition divalent metals of the formula MCef·nH₂O (where n=2 for M=Cu²⁺, Ni²⁺, Zn²⁺ and n=3 for Co²⁺) and CdCef_1.5·4H₂O were prepared and characterized by elemental and infrared spectra. The thermal analysis of the investigated complexes in air atmosphere was carried out by means of simultaneous TG-DSC technique. During heating in air they lose bound water molecules and then decompose to oxides: Co₃O₄, NiO, CuO, ZnO and CdO. The CdCef_1.5·4H₂O complex forms probably an intermediate product Cd₂OSO₄. The combined TG-FTIR technique was employed to study of decomposition pathway of the investigated complexes. The first mass loss step is the water loss of the complexes. Next, decomposition of cefadroxil ligand occurs with evolution of CO₂ and NH₃. At slightly higher temperature COS is observed according to decomposition of cephem ring. Additionally, as decomposition gaseous products: HCN, HNCO (HOCN), H₂CNH, CO, SO₂, hydrocarbons and carbonyl compounds were observed. The formation of metal sulfates is postulated as solid intermediate product of decomposition in the argon atmosphere. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.