5R/-2-CARBAMOYLOXYMETHYL-6ALPHA-/1R-HYDROXYETHYL/2/PENEM -3- CARBOXYLIC ACID AND SODIUM SALT THEREOF

There are disclosed beta -lactam-containing compounds of the formula: where R is hydrogen, lower alkyl, trichloroethyl, acetonyl, benzyl, substituted benzyl, phenyl, substituted phenyl, benzidryl or a residue that will undergo metabolic activation "in vivo" and have favorable pharmacokinetic properties; R1 is a hydrogen atom, lower alkyl, lower alkoxy, cycloalkyl, or hydroxyalkyl, with the alcoholic function of the hydroxyalkyl being free or protected; Z is hydrogen, halogen, hydroxy, amino, carbamoyloxy, mercapto, pyridinium, OR2, OCOR2, NHCOR2, or SR3 wherein each of R2 and R3 is any of lower alkyl, aryl, or a heterocyclic ring, each of which may be substituted or unsubstituted, and n is 0 or 1. The compounds have broad spectrum antibacterial activity and beta -lactamase inhibiting activity. Processes for the production of the beta -lactam-containing compounds and various intermediates in the production of those compounds are also disclosed.