β Lactam

Definition

A β-Lactam is a four-membered lactam ring, a type of cyclic amide, that is characterized by a nitrogen atom directly connected to the β-carbon relative to the carbonyl group. They are crucial structures in several antibiotics, such as penicillins, due to their ability to inhibit bacterial cell wall synthesis.

Related terms

Nucleophilic Acyl Substitution: A reaction mechanism where a nucleophile replaces the leaving group attached to an acyl (carbonyl) group.

Antibiotics: Medicinal compounds that inhibit the growth of or destroy microorganisms, specifically targeting various aspects of bacterial physiology.

Penicillin: A group of antibiotics derived from Penicillium fungi that contain the β-Lactam ring structure and are used to treat bacterial infections by inhibiting cell wall synthesis