Organometallics in Process Chemistry

Book excerpt: The design of efficient syntheses of medicinal agents is one of the prime goals of the process chemist in the pharmaceutical industry. The expanding list of metal-mediated reactions has had a major impact on this endeavor over the last two decades. This volume will highlight some of the areas of organometallic chemistry that have played a particularly important role in development. The chapters are written by chemists who work in the process groups of major pharmaceutical companies and fine chemical manufacturers. Having demonstrated the power of organometallics in their processes the authors herein expand upon their experiences with examples from the literature as reported by process groups within the industry. The chapters are organized either by the application of a particular metal or reaction class. Removal of the residual metal(s) from the isolated active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) is key to the release of the material for human consumption, and hence, is reviewed here as well. This volume of Topics in Organometallic Chemistry is presented to offer a representative cross section of organometallic applications in the pharmaceutical industry as well as to give an appreciation for the creativity possible in process chemistry.