Review of Continuous Process for Modafinil

We are taught early in life English alphabets and we move very smoothly from A to Z. However, in the chemical industry especially in the pharmaceuticals it has been a challenge to move from “B” (batch process) to “C” (continuous).

Is it feasible to produce active pharmaceutical ingredients (API) using a continuous process? The answer is unequivocally yes. Having a continuous process depends on our desire whether we want to have a continuous process. Of course economics plays a significant part.

The very fundamental basis of a process is its chemistry and its execution. We are taught all of the tools and methods of “how to” and we just have to apply them. If we understand the chemistry and execute it correctly applying principles of chemistry and chemical engineering, i.e. unit processes and unit operations, we can meet and even exceed the requirements set by the regulatory agencies.

Process of the preparation of 2-(benzhydrylsulfinyl) acetamide known as Modafinil and omeprazole known as Nexium are discussed. These two specialty chemicals can be produced continuously. The paper discusses methods and ways of process simplification and steps for a continuous process.