Garry Mabon of AgbioInvestor shows how volumes and values of intermediates can be calculated
Intermediate & synthesis complexity in agrochemical manufacturing
Garry Mabon of AgbioInvestor shows how volumes and values of intermediates can be calculated
A
need for novel modes of action and efficacy in agrochemicals has driven interest in new areas of chemistry and an increase in the complexity of synthetic routes for manufacture .
To investigate trends in chemistry , we used AgbioInvestor ’ s AgbioChem service , which outlines synthetic routes for over 350 commercially significant active ingredients ( AIs ). Using these data , we investigated trends in agrochemical synthesis , including the chemical technologies used , the number of steps required and commercial aspects , such as volume and price for key chemical ring types .
Further to this , we combined AgbioInvestor ’ s AI volume utilisation data with synthetic route data to estimate the volume of intermediates required for their synthesis over time , including forecasts . Such analysis can add a layer of depth to AgbioInvestor ’ s offering which might be of particular interest to the wider chemicals industry .
Increasing complexity of synthesis
The complexity of synthetic routes for agrochemicals has increased since the 1940s . This is exemplified in Figure 1a , which shows the average number of steps and number of technologies ( e . g . chlorination ,
18 16 14 12 10
a
8 6 4 2 0
100 % y = 0.1356x + 2.5876 R 2 = 0.7682
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• y = 0.0391x + 2.6713 R 2 = 0.5781
Al year of introduction
• Average number of technologies • Average number of steps
Al year of introduction
■ Bromination ■ Chlorination ■ Fluorination lodination ■ Nitrogen Chemistry
■ Not Applic . ■ Organic Chemistry Oxidation ■ Phosgenation ■ Reduction
Figure 1 - Average number of steps & technologies used in agrochemical synthesis 1945-2023 , in total ( a ) & by technology ( b )
16 SPECIALITY CHEMICALS MAGAZINE ESTABLISHED 1981