Soluble Polymer Catalysts
The project is developing commercial processes using organocatalysts for chiral chemical production. In doing so, a number of existing metal catalyst processes will be replaced. There are environmental challenges associated with recovery of the metals used (e.g., iridium, rhodium, palladium, etc.), and also cost implications necessitated by the removal of unwanted metal residues from the resulting compounds. New, solid-supported organocatalysts will be developed from inexpensive starting materials (chiral pool) with a particular emphasis that both enantiomers are available (a standard prerequisite for multipurpose catalysts). The catalysts will be synthesized using protocols developed by the University of Glasgow in the last 3 years and anchored on a solid support. The new supported catalysts will be multifunctional and, therefore, applicable in various processes for manufacturing a wide range of pharmaceuticals, where the existing methodology is inadequate by industrial or environmental standards
Key Benefits
- Recyclability of catalyst without loss of activity
- Enantioselectivity equivalent to commercially available products
- Modularity – different catalysts can be attached
- Possibility of synthesis on a chip
- Removability from the product – much simpler than current techniques – utilises mechanical filtration, therefore reduced costs, processing time and enhanced regulatory compliance
- Reactions work at room temperature
- Polymers can be bound to commercially available catalysts
- Continuous processing
- Parallel synthesis
- Good photochemical and thermal stability
- Clearly defined structures of the polymers – therefore synthesis can be easily reproduced
Applications
- The new supported catalysts will be multifunctional and, therefore, applicable in various processes for manufacturing a wide range of pharmaceuticals, where the existing methodology is inadequate by industrial or environmental standards. This approach will address the area of chiral drugs, which currently constitute 1/3 of the world market of all pharmaceuticals.
IP Status
A UK initial filing was made in November 2008.
If you would like further information about
this opportunity please fill out the form below. Your enquiry will
be passed on to the relevant University who will respond to you directly.
