Are we going back to in-person events?
After a not easy 2020 and beginning of 2021, when we still met periodically thanks to “virtual” platforms, on July 9th we finally returned to an in-person conference organized by Faggi. Tks supported the organization with digital tools, being a hybrid business show, and with regular promotional activities.
The workshop was in presence with speakers and a few dozen participants.
Hundreds of people followed remotely.

This workshop on Circular economy and Catalysis was supported by the Department of Chemistry of UNIBO and the iCCOM-CNR Ciamician in Faggi S.p.A. facility in Sesto Fiorentino, Florence.

After the welcome of Gianni Faggi that described the activity of the company in the area of Circular Economy and Catalysis, Dr. Mordini (iCOOM-CNR) introduced the workshop in term of speakers and scientific subjects.

The speakers described their experience in the field of Catalysis looking for a greener and industrial efficient approach.
Prof Walter Cabri (UNIBO), one of the organizers, discussed the “Translation Guide of the 12 principle of Green Chemistry for cross-coupling reactions”, using as example the Erlotinib synthesis via Heck-Cassar-Sonogashira reaction focusing the attention on Process Mass Intensity, reaction speed and Turnover Numbers. Dr. Jacopo Roletto (Procos) described the scale up of a high pressure enantioselective hydrogenation focusing the attention on the DOE approach that is nowadays a must for the pharma industry involved in Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient (API) production. Dr. Dario Ciato (Lundbeck Pharmaceuticals Italy) described the Process Engineering aspects of a Multistep hydrogenation. Dr. Angela Prunecchi (Faggi), interviewed on the dynamics of Precious Metal Market and catalysts, highlighted that recycling metals is critical to maintain competitiveness.

In the second half, Dr. Giorgio Bertolini (Olon) described the design and optimization of palladium catalyzed Suzuki coupling for the production of an API with particular attention to cost comparison and the technologies available for the simple and efficient removal of the metal from the final product. Prof. Taddei (University of Siena) described his experience in Transition Metal Catalysis in water Medium: the talk focused on the extension of the micellar Lipshutz’ water technology to the borrowing hydrogen reaction using ruthenium and its application to the synthesis of API. Last, but not least Dr. Angela Tozzi (Recordati) described the hunting metal trace in wastes coming from a homogeneous palladium catalyzed isomerization reaction. The project, carried out with Faggi S.p.A., allowed to generate an important sawing by recycling the palladium metal.

The workshop ended with an interesting panel discussion that covered the use of catalysis, circular economy and green chemistry in all the phases of API production and commercialization.

Paolo Ronchi (Chiesi Group) described his experience in using catalysis for the exploration of the molecular space. Giorgio Bertolini highlighted the evolution of the drugs synthesis during the last 20 years showing an increase of the cross coupling reactions determined by the structure identified by medicinal chemists. Dr. Paolo Paissoni (Procos) discussed the impact of circular economy and green chemistry in business relationships especially with big pharma. Dr. Marco Possenti (Faggi) described the catalyst recycling efficiency, catalyst knowledge and the hunting support by Faggi.

This workshop marks the restart of live events for our industry and we are confident that things will go back to normality soon. We look forward to meeting you in person at one of our next meetings. Stay tuned.

SILVIA BALDINA
Business Development Manager, TKS
WALTER CABRI
Full Professor of Organic Chemistry University of Bologna