Technologies

Schwartz reduction enables many vit a l transformations in synthetic organic chemistry including its large-scale application in manufacturing ofpaclitaxel(taxol ^TM ), ageneric anticancer drugto treat patients with lung , ovarian , and breast cancer .Although the Schwartz reagent is commercially available, it is expensive and problematic for long-time storage due to its sensitivity to air, light and moisture.

Current in situ Schwartz reagent generation procedures are all based on the initial preparation of the Schwartz reagent for use in the subsequent reactions. Concerns of over-reduction to Cp2ZrH2, solubility of the Schwartz reagent, functional group compatibility, and the crude reagent efficiency still remain. This technology overcomes these drawbacks and makes the Schwartz reduction a feasible synthetic route.

Researchers at Queen’s University have developed a single-step technology to allow for in situ Schwartz reduction. The key feature of this technology is the utilization of selective reductants that enables the reduction of precursor Schwartz reagent (Cp2ZrCl2) to Cp2Zr(H)Cl (the Schwartz reagent) selectively without undergoing reactions with existed substrates and generated intermediates. Currently, multi-step reactions are necessary for Schwartz reductions by preparing the Schwartz reagent in situ following by the subsequent reduction reactions.