The synthesis of chiral drugs

Abstract

This chapter focuses on the synthesis of chiral drugs. Chiral drugs are asymmetric compounds that can exist as two non-superimposable mirror images known as enantiomers. The chapter defines asymmetric molecules as chiral, while symmetrical molecules are known as achiral. It highlights the significance of chirality in the pharmaceutical industry. Preferential crystallisationcrystallization, forming the formation of diastereomeric derivatives, kinetic resolution, and chromatography could can solve resolve racemic mixtures in relation to asymmetric synthesisinto their two constituent enantiomers. Additionally, the chapter looks into at the asymmetric synthesises of propranolol, asymmetric syntheses from a chiral starting material, and asymmetric syntheses involving an asymmetric reactions. It explores the asymmetric reactions to enzymes as well. In addition, asymmetric reactions using enzymes—both natural and genetically modified ones—are discussed. The chapter then considersnotes the examples of asymmetric syntheses by referencing modafinil, armodafinil, and eslicarbazepine acetate as examples of asymmetric syntheses.