Four-step synthetic route for ibuprofen production. This company's four-step synthetic route is an alternative to the traditional six-step synthetic route. This new process has 90% atom efficiency compared to the original process with less than 40% atom efficiency. Using anhydrous hydrogen fluoride as a solvent and catalyst reduces the volume of generated waste and increases the reaction's selectivity. Anhydrous hydrogen can also be recovered and reused with 99.9% efficiency. The process also generates minimal waste, eliminates the use of organic solvents , and nearly eliminates aqueous salt waste. Nearly all byproduct can be reused in the same process or other products.
EPA Presidential Green Chemistry Challenge: 1997 Greener Synthetic Pathways Award
