Recovery of Methyl Acetoacetate from Antibiotic Production Plant\'s Waste Streams (TECHNICAL NOTE)

Chemical recovery of methyl acetoacetate from the amoxicillin plant’s waste stream was investigated. In process of amoxicillin production for activation of amoxicillin molecule, hydrolysis takes place at final stage. As a result methyl acetoacetate is formed. Liquid-liquid extraction was employed for the recovery of methyl acetoacetate from the waste stream. Diluted alkaline solution was used as an extractive agent for the chemical extraction process. Extraction was carried out while the pH was adjusted to 9.5 by addition of alkaline solution. The extraction was repeated in three consecutive stages to enhance the process yield. Finally, distillation was carried out to remove the volatile compounds residues. Samples were taken from each stage of separation for GC analysis. The recovered methyl acetoacetate with purity of 93 % and yield of 75 % was obtained from extraction and distillation processes.