2 - Fine Chemicals and their Synthesis; a Chemical Point of View

Abstract

A substance that is currently viewed as a bulk chemical is classified as a fine chemical. This chapter provides a synoptic view of fine chemicals and their synthesis. Fine chemicals are generally complex, multifunctional molecules, and often have low volatility and limited thermal stability. This implies that the processes are generally performed in the liquid phase. Fine chemicals manufacture often involves multi-step syntheses and is generally performed batch-wise in multi-purpose equipment. The major characteristic features of fine chemicals are discussed in the chapter. Fine chemicals manufacture is the domain of the synthetic organic chemist who traditionally used the time honored classical reactions of organic synthesis. The complete disregard of atom utilization or atom efficiency concept is the root cause of the waste problem in fine chemicals manufacture. Another prime cause of waste generation is the use of stoichiometric inorganic reagents. Fine chemicals and specialties manufacture is rampant with classical stoichiometric technologies. Hence, catalysis plays a pivotal role in the development of clean, environmentally benign processes that generate minimum amounts of wastes. Catalytic transformations can be divided on the basis of the catalyst type – homogeneous, heterogeneous or enzymatic, or the type of conversion. Hence, the key to more economical processes is reduction of the number of unit operations by judicious process integration.