Question:

Penicillins are derivatives of which acid?

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All penicillin antibiotics share a common core structure. By changing the side chain on this core, chemists make the different penicillins.
Updated On: Jun 24, 2026
  • 6-Nitro penicillanic acid
  • 7-aminocephalosporanic acid
  • 6-Amino penicillanic acid
  • 7-amino penicillanic acid
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The Correct Option is C

Solution and Explanation

Concept:
All penicillin antibiotics share a common core structure. By changing the side chain on this core, chemists make the different penicillins.

Step 1:
This common core is called 6-aminopenicillanic acid, often written 6-APA. Every penicillin is built from it, so it is the correct answer.

Step 2:
7-aminocephalosporanic acid (7-ACA) is the core of cephalosporins, a different antibiotic family, not penicillins. The other two names (6-nitro and 7-amino penicillanic acid) are not the real penicillin nucleus.

Answer: Option (3) — 6-Amino penicillanic acid.
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