Chloramphenicol palmitate is prepared by acylation of chloramphenicol with palmitic acid. Although chloramphenicol palmitate is a more hydrophobic drug which should enhance bioavailability, the primary advantage of the ester is to mask the taste of chloramphenicol in oral formulations. Chloramphenicol palmitate is significantly less active than chloramphenicol but acts as a prodrug, being readily hydrolysed by acid and esterase in the gut to release chloramphenicol.