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Penicillin - Reciprocal Net Common Molecule Log in
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Penicillin

Chemical Formula: C16H18N2O5S1
Other names: Phenoxymethylpenicillin
Layman's explanation: Alexander Flemming discovered penicillin in 1928. In a culture of some common germs Fleming noticed that there were rings around several spots of mold in which the germs did not grow. In 1940 Howard W. Florey and Ernst Chain reported on how penicillin could be purified for use as a drug. It was in very short supply because of the difficulty in growing sufficient quantities. Several pharmaceutical companies including Eli Lilly and Pfizer learned how to scale up the production in the 1940's, mainly due to the pressure of the war.

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