Catalysis and Chemical Engineering Global Conference

Catalysis is the keystone of contemporary synthesis of medicines, as it enables the accurate and effective preparation of complex target molecules crucial in drug development. Integrating catalytic processes into drug production optimizes reactions for higher selectivity, aligns with green chemistry principles, and enhances sustainability and cost-efficiency in drug manufacturing. This lecture discusses catalysis in medicines, emphasizing catalytic routes that drive the invention of safe, active, and high-quality drugs.

Transition metal catalysis is particularly important in drug synthesis, encompassing reactions like hydrogenation, oxidation, and cross-coupling, with metals such as palladium, platinum, and rhodium commonly used. For example, the Suzuki and Buchwald-Hartwig reactions are widely applied to form carbon-carbon and carbon-nitrogen bonds, which constitute the structural backbone of many drug molecules. These reactions enable the creation of highly specific complex structures, often without the need for extensive purification steps, thereby supporting efficient manufacturing processes.

The role of enzymes in drug synthesis is exemplified in biocatalysis or enzyme catalysis, which offers a more environmentally friendly alternative to traditional chemical catalysts. Enzymes work effectively under mild conditions, often using water as a solvent and generating fewer byproducts, making them ideal for asymmetric synthesis of chiral molecules—important in pharmaceuticals due to their stereospecific interactions with biological targets. With lipases and oxidases, the generation of enantiopure compounds becomes possible, enhancing drug efficacy and safety while supporting a more sustainable industrial production process.

Catalytic methods also streamline synthetic routes and improve process efficiency. One-pot catalytic reactions allow multiple steps to be performed in a single vessel, eliminating intermediate purification steps and associated waste. Flow chemistry, which operates in continuous flow rather than batch mode, can be effectively integrated with catalysis to improve scalability and reproducibility. This approach is particularly valuable for large-scale pharmaceutical synthesis under strict quality demands and has gained popularity as a preferred technique among many pharmaceutical manufacturers.

A direct relationship exists between catalytic drug synthesis and green chemistry, underscored by the reduction of hazardous materials and the improved efficiency of processes. This alignment not only advances the field of pharmaceuticals but also promotes environmentally responsible and economically viable production practices.