Redesign of the Sertraline Production Process

New process for the manufacturing of sertraline, the active ingredient of Zoloft®. Sertraline is traditionally manufactured through a three-step streamlined process. This process is relatively wasteful and has low efficiency. Pfizer has developed a new single-step manufacturing process with environmental and human safety improvements, high yields, and an extremely pure product. Using a new palladium catalyst reduces the use of raw materials. The process has better reagents economy and improved cost-efficiency. 

EPA Presidential Green Chemistry Challenge: 2002 Greener Synthetic Pathways Award