Definition of penams

Natural and synthetic antibiotics containing the 4-thia-1-azabicyclo[3.2.0]heptan-7-one structure, generally assumed to have the 5R configuration unless otherwise specified. The numbering of the penam skeleton differs from that of the von Baeyer named bicyclic system. Where they differ the von Baeyer numbering is shown in parenthesis in the example. Cf. penems.


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