Penicillin V

Penicillin V (Phenoxymethylpenicillin), C16H18N2O5S, is an important member of the Penicillin family of antibacterial drugs discovered in 1928 by Alexander Fleming. It treats infections such as pneumonia and meningitis by targeting bacteria-specific proteins in the body during binary fission and disrupting the formation of cell walls, killing them. It’s a white odorless crystalline powder with a melting point of 120-127.7 Celsius, boiling point of 681.4±55.0 Celsius at 760 mmHg, and vapor pressure of 0.0±2.2 mmHg at 25 Celsius. With a density of 1.5±0.1 g/cm3, it has a molecular weight of 350.4 g/mol. As a saturated solution, its pH is 2.5-4.0. Its structure consists of a beta-lactam ring (the center of antibacterial activity), thiazolidine ring, and a side-chain. Penicillin V, a groundbreaking discovery, has saved millions of lives and still continues to do so.

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