Fine Chemicals: Precursors and By-Products
Fine chemicals are complex, single, pure chemical substances, produced in limited quantities in multipurpose plants by multistep batch chemical or biotechnological processes. They are described by exacting specifications and are used for further processing within the chemical industry. Fine chemicals can be chemical building blocks, active intermediates, or active ingredients. Fine chemicals are used as starting materials for specialty chemicals, particularly pharmaceuticals, biopharmaceuticals, and agrochemicals.
Using the Latest Analytical Instrumentation & Protocols, Mass Spec Lab Scientists can Help in the Following Ways:
Qualify Precursors and Basic Starting Compounds: The purity of the chemical precursors for fine chemical synthesis is of utmost importance. Often these impurities will be carried over into the final fine chemical product and may affect such things as color, stability, toxicity, etc. Mass Spec Lab can help in the selection and qualification of these starting compounds or in the development of purification processes if needed.
Identify Synthesis By-Products and Residual Starting Compounds: Organic or biotech synthesis yields are typically well below 100%. This means that there are always synthesis by-products to identify and quantitate. Mass Spec Lab analyses are critical to establishing the total chemical profile of the output of an organic or biotech synthesis. We can also help during the definition and qualification of purification processes. See our case study Are Raw Material Contaminants Compromising Your Final Product? in which UPLC/QTof methods detected and characterized the carry-through of a synthesis by-product found in a final fine chemical ultraviolet stabilizer product.
Create Stability Profiles for Final Products: The shelf stability of fine chemicals must be carefully defined so that degradant species do not find their way into final pharmaceutical or other products with the potential of compromising the activity or safety of these products. Often analytical protocols will be used to define storage conditions. The definition of degradation pathways and degradant species is essential in the development of targeted assays for quality release of products by fine chemical producers or in the quality inspection of raw materials for fine chemical users.
We can help you with purity analysis of fine chemicals. Request more information or call us at 949-872-2724.