Industry-Academia Partnership: Case Studies of Metal-acetylacetonates and Ranitidine Hydrochloride

Prof. Mihir Choudhari

There appears to be a general lack of synergy between Indian industries and academic institutions of the country. While on one hand there are a number of solvable problems in our industrial sector, on the other hand there exists a spate of industrially relevant products, processes, knowledge base, deliverables and expertise with academia. The lack of synergy has been a matter of concern over the past decade or so. However, there is a growing silver lining on the other side of the cloud showing signs of Indian industry-academia interactions. This will be illustrated with two Green Chemical Technologies, one each on metal-acetylacetonates and Ranitidine that have been transferred and very successfully implemented in industries.

The Green-Protocols for commercial production of metal-acetylacetonates are based on either ‘Acid-Base’ or ‘Red-ox’ reactions. Metal hydrated oxides are made to directly interact with the weakly acidic acetylacetone (2,5-pentanedione, C5H8O2) to afford the corresponding metal-acetylacetonates. Redundancy of the use of buffer or any other chemical agents and the absence of any side reactions or products render the processes clean, cost effective and sustainable

Concurrent formation of methylmercaptan, CH3SH, along with Ranitidine in its commercial production has been a perennial problem because of highly objectionable properties of this obnoxious gas. Continued environmental pollution due to this gas caused closure of some manufacturing plants for months, whereas Ranitidine is probably the world’s highest selling anti-ulcer drug. Our endeavor in developing newer catalysts for several organic transformations culminated in a practical solution to this problem leading to restart the manufacturing plants. What was done was that methylmercaptan was converted to dimethylsulfide, (CH3)2S, by the known methods which was then catalytically and selectively oxidized to dimethylsulfoxide, (CH3)2SO, by H2O2. DMSO, a odorless and colorless liquid, was recycled to this drug manufacturing process as it is one of the essential reagents, finally giving rise to a “Win-Win” situation. The value added “Green Technology” has been in operation for over half a decade.