The document describes three different synthetic routes for producing the drug ibuprofen and compares their overall yields, time requirements, waste produced, reagent costs and safety, and environmental impact. The original Boots route was the first to synthesize ibuprofen but a greener BHC route was later developed after the patent expired. A new proposed synthesis route is also described and will be compared to the other two methods.

1. A1 - Ibuprofen - our new drug
synthesis that I sure to relieve some
aches and pains
James Allanson, Wasim Akhtar,
Ashlea Hughes, Chi Nguyen, Cahaya
Miza

2. Introduction
• Anti-inflammatory NSAID
• Pain relieving, fever-reducing drug
• Arachidonic acid can’t turn into prostaglandin
• Synonymous with mild pain and headache relief.
• Has applications in arthritis
• One drug, many potential synthetic routes.

3. The old, the new and the cutting edge
of Ibuprofen synthesis.
• Boots first patented in 1961 and developed
initial synthesis of the drug.
• Once the patent ended a greener synthetic
route was devised by the BHC group.
• Finally we will show another synthesis and
weigh up its advantages over the previous
examples.

4. Reaction Schemes

5. Lengthy Synthesis?
Scheme 1: Boots Scheme 2 : BHC Scheme 3: Route A
route route (our synthesis)
Overall yield
How long does it
take?
Waste produced at
each step

6. Reagents in each synthesis
Scheme 1: Boots Scheme 2 : BHC Scheme 3: Route A
route route (our synthesis)
Price
Safety
Re-usable (true
catalysts)

7. Conditions
Scheme 1: Boots Scheme 2 : BHC Scheme 3: Route A
route route (our synthesis)
Safety
Price (are they
difficult to
produce/maintain)

8. Environmental Concerns
Scheme 1: Boots Scheme 2 : BHC Scheme 3: Route A
route route (our synthesis)
Atom Economy
Waste products
toxicology and
disposal
Hazardous
synthesis methods