Life cycle analysis of solvent reduction in pharmaceutical synthesis using continuous adsorption for palladium removal

Abstract

The life cycle emissions associated with the reduction of wastes from an adsorption process to remove palladium complexes in drug manufacture have been evaluated. The study assessed a green improvement to a process step in an active pharmaceutical ingredient synthesis where palladium catalyst is removed from a reaction mixture. The greener process uses a continuous adsorption system, composed of a more efficient adsorbent, consuming less organic solvent and rinse water, which results in less waste disposal. The newer process is also more energy and cost efficient from an operational perspective. There is a 94% reduction in the carbon footprint of the new process when compared to the current operation.

Keywords:

• Green engineering
• adsorption
• palladium
• solvent reduction
• life cycle assessment
• pharmaceutical synthesis

Acknowledgments

Partial support for this has been provided by a grant from the US Environmental Protection Agency, NP 97257006-0. The authors wish to acknowledge Novartis Pharmaceutical Corporation for their support and Thomas Blacklock and Michael Girgis for their assistance.