Process chemistry: The science, business, logic, and logistics

Process chemistry covers the design and development of synthetic routes for the ultimate goal of manufacturing at commercial scale for fine chemicals and, in particular pharmaceuticals. This review outlines the underlying principles of process research with a focus on safety, cost, environmental issues, and the robustness of synthesis. It also emphasizes the importance of mass throughput, the correct ordering of steps in a sequence, factors that control the costs of starting materials, the design of experiments, and the relative merits of linear and convergent syntheses.