Congratulations to Diana, who just published her first paper with the group: “Out-smarting smart drug modafinil through flow chemistry”!
Modafinil has attracted considerable interest, becoming in recent years a foremost anti-narcoleptic drug thanks to its limited side-effects. As part of our efforts towards an end-to-end API manufacturing platform (supported by a NASA EPSCoR grant), we report an improved synthesis of modafinil in 77% yield over three steps. The process was entirely conducted in flow and results in a lower environmental footprint, thanks to the use of class 3 FDA solvents, a reduced E-factor, the formation of only benign side products and the absence of intermediate purification steps.
We are looking forward to report further efforts into the development of an on-demand medication manufacturing system. Congrats as well to CiTOS PhD graduate Noémie, and thanks to our partners at the Crystallization Design Institute in Puerto Rico for their involvement.