Pharmaceutical and fine chemical companies are under economic and social pressure to improve efficiency, reduce costs, and minimize the impact of their operations on the environment. The key to attaining these goals is defining and optimizing new synthetic processes via an in-depth understanding of reaction mechanisms and kinetics.
A plethora of instrument and software advances now support these efforts, most notably real-time, in-situ process analytical technology (PAT). A gold-standard in analytical technology, high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), elucidates and quantitatively measures reaction species. However, specific requirements for sample removal, quenching, and dilution have prevented the deployment of chromatography as an online PAT.
New technology has been developed to fully automate sample extraction, quenching, and dilution process and transmits reaction samples to the HPLC in real-time. This approach eliminates any time-lapse related analysis issues of the sample such as post-reaction changes or loss of unstable intermediates. Key reaction species are identified and measured as the reaction proceeds, yielding unparalleled understanding of reaction kinetics, mechanism and the effect of variables on reaction outcome.
This white paper reviews the technological advancements to enable true, time-course measurement of chemical syntheses and crystallizations via HPLC.
This white paper is authored by Telescope Innovations. As of February 5, 2024 — Telescope Innovations Corp. has entered a Distribution Agreement with METTLER TOLEDO for Telescope’s online chemistry sampling and analysis product, the DirectInject-LC™. METTLER TOLEDO is a global leader of precision instruments and services, including automated chemistry solutions provided by the company’s AutoChem unit.