Selective Transformation of β-Lactam Antibiotics by Peroxymonosulfate: Reaction Kinetics and Nonradical Mechanism

While the β-lactam antibiotics are known to be susceptible to oxidative degradation by sulfate radical (SO4•–), here we report that peroxymonosulfate (PMS) exhibits specific high reactivity toward β-lactam antibiotics without SO4•– generation for the first time. Apparent second-order reaction constants (k2,app) were determined for the reaction of PMS with three penicillins, five cephalosporins, two carbapenems, and several structurally related chemicals. The pH-dependency of k2,app could be well modeled based on species-specific reactions. On the basis of reaction kinetics, stoichiometry, and structure–activity assessment, the thioether sulfur, on the six- or five-membered rings (penicillins and cephalosporins) and the side chain (carbapenems), was the main reaction site for PMS oxidation. Cephalosporins were more reactive toward PMS than penicillins and carbapenems, and the presence of a phenylglycine side chain significantly enhanced cephalosporins' reactivity toward PMS. Product analysis indicated oxidation of β-lactam antibiotics to two stereoisomeric sulfoxides. A radical scavenging study and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) technique confirmed lack of involvement of radical species (e.g., SO4•–). Thus, the PMS-induced oxidation of β-lactam antibiotics was proposed to proceed through a nonradical mechanism involving direct two-electron transfer along with the heterolytic cleavage of the PMS peroxide bond. The new findings of this study are important for elimination of β-lactam antibiotic contamination, because PMS exhibits specific high reactivity and suffers less interference from the water matrix than the radical process.