Reactive Intermediates

Since its discovery more than 100 years ago, the synthesis of Grignard reagents and their conversion with a variety of organic molecules such as ketones and aldehydes has been one of the most effective methods of C-C bond formation. In the synthesis of the top 50 active pharmaceutical ingredients, in about 10 percent of the synthetic pathways one Grignard reaction or more can be found.

„We enable your chemistry to develop its full potential”

The actual Grignard reagent formation represents a reaction that can immensely benefit from a continuous process. This is mainly due to the following aspects:

• Novel Process Window - large magnesium excess to suppress unwanted side reactions such as Wurtz coupling,
• improved heat transfer, no runaway of the reaction,
• continuous supply of magnesium,
• integrated magnesium activation,
• integrated process control,
• inline analytics via IR measurements.

It is the ultimate objective of our work to produce reactive intermediates like Grignard reagents in a continuous process in-situ. We can detect them inline, check their quality and in a second step, we can convert them directly into the desired product. For this purpose, we use the following reactors and setups:

• Laboratory reactor setup
  • Throughput: depending on the Grignard reagent 0.5-5 ml/min
  • Temperature range: 10-60 °C
  • Magnesium: turnings
• Pilot reactor setup
  • Throughput: depending on the Grignard reagent 5-50 ml/min
  • Temperature range: 10-60 ° C
  • Magnesium: turnings with integrated continuous replenishing

With our reactors and setups we have already synthesized the following Grignard reagents:

• 1M and 2M PhMgBr in THF ,
• 1M EtMgBr in THF,
• 1M AllylMgBr in THF.

Whether you are interested in the production of various reactive intermediates or you want to go one or another step further with us, we will find a solution together.