A novel crystal form of ranitidine (N-[2-[[[5-(dimethylamino)methyl]-2-furanyl]methyl]thio]ethyl-N'-methy l-2-nitro-11-ethenediamine) hydrochloride designated Form 2 and having favorable filtration and drying characteristics is characterized by its infra-red spectrum and/or by its x-ray powder diffraction patterns.

The invention relates to a process for the preparation of ranitidine of the formula: which is characterised in that a thiol of the formula: is reacted with an alkylating agent of the formula: in which R1 denotes the group -CH2CH2L where L represents a leaving group and R2 represents a hydrogen atom or R1 and R2 together with the nitrogen atom to which they are attached form an ethyleneimino group.

A process for the preparation of the sodium salt of the antibiotic (6R7R)-3-carbamoyloxymethyl-7-[Z-2-(fur-2-yl)-2-methoxyiminoacetamido ]-ceph-3-em-4-carboxylic acid (cefuroxime) which comprises subjecting a corresponding 3-N-protected carbamoyloxymethyl compound to alcoholysis in a substantially anhydrous medium using a basic catalyst comprising the sodium salt of an acid having a pKa value of not less than 3.5 whereby sodium cefuroxime or a solvate thereof can be obtained directly without iso...

Improvements in or relating to the manufacture of semi-synthetic penicillin antibiotics are described. More particularly an improved process for the preparation of a 6 beta -acylamino penicillanic acid antibiotic product is described in which 6 beta -aminopenicillanic acid (6-APA) is reacted in an inert solvent with a silylating agent to form a silylated compound of formula (I) (I) wherein R1 represents a hydrogen atom or a tri(C1-6 alkyl)silyl group and R2 represents a tri(C1-6alkyl)silyl...