Reactor Kinetics Studies via Process Raman Spectroscopy, Multivariate Chemometrics, and Kinetics Modeling

Abstract

The deployment of in situ analytics for monitoring chemical reactions in process chemistry development and scale-up is facilitated by advanced instrumentation such as Raman spectrometry. Furthermore, greater process understanding can be engendered by coupling in situ Raman data with multivariate chemometrics analyses and kinetics modeling. Such information is important for devising science-based process control strategies along the concept of quality by design (QbD) initiated through the U.S. FDA process analytical technology (PAT) framework. A series of experiments using varied glass reactors, stirring speeds, and isothermal reaction temperatures were designed with acetic anhydride hydrolysis as the model reaction to successfully demonstrate the efficacy of combining in situ Raman spectroscopy, multivariate analyses, and kinetics modeling. Two different Raman measurement methods, using immersion and noncontact probe optics, were tested through a process Raman spectrometer with multiplexing capability. Information-theoretic multivariate chemometrics were applied to elicit pure component spectra and transient concentrations of chemical species, and two differential-algebraic equations modeling approaches were adopted for elucidating chemical and dissolution kinetics information. The variations in reactor vessel type and sizes, stirring speeds, Raman measurements, and kinetics models were compared in this study.