Chloramphenicol succinate is prepared by acylation of chloramphenicol with succinic anhydride to provide a water soluble pro-drug. Chloramphenicol succinate represents an alternative pro-drug strategy for chloramphenicol that has found a niche in surface antibiotic treatment in surgery. Chloramphenicol succinate is significantly less active than chloramphenicol but acts as a prodrug, forming chloramphenicol in the presence of succinate dehydrogenase.
Chloramphenicol succinate is soluble in ethanol, methanol, DMF and DMSO.
CAS Number
3544-94-3
Molecular Formula
C15H16Cl2N2O8
Molecular Weight
423.2
Mechanism of Action
After entering a bacterial cell, chloramphenicol binds to the 50S ribosomal subunit preventing peptide bond formation. Resistance to chloramphenicol may be due to decreased cell permeability or a mutation in the 50S ribosomal subunit.
Storage Conditions
-20°C