Catylix Licenses Hartwig Trifluoromethylation Technology

July 8, 2011 - PRLog -- Catylix, Inc., Catylix, an early-stage company focused on commercializing improved chemistry for synthesizing compounds used in the life sciences, has been granted an exclusive, world-wide license to the new Hartwig trifluoromethylation technology. Based on a relatively inexpensive copper-based reagent, the new trifluoromethylation chemistry has broad applications for chemists in the life sciences.
"Catylix is excited to have the exclusive rights to develop this new trifluoromethylation technology, offering exceptional breadth of scope and functional group compatibility," said Dr. David Rozzell, CEO of Catylix. "We can offer chemists a method that allows for the first time an easy, cost effective way to add trifluoromethyl groups to later-stage compounds."
The trifluoromethyl group is an important functional group for optimizing the properties of pharmaceutical and agricultural lead compounds, often improving bioavailability, bioactivity, and metabolic stability. As a result, more than 25% of developmental drugs and crop protection agents contain fluorine. Previously available methods for the addition of CF3 groups use harsh conditions, limiting the reaction scope.
The new chemistry developed by Professor John Hartwig and co-workers at the University of Illinois is based on a copper phenanthroline CF3 complex that allows trifluoromethylation to take place at or near room temperature and without the need for special equipment such as a glove box. The reagent is stable enough to be weighed out on the bench top. According to Dr. Rozzell, Catylix plans to announce the launch of its first product based on the new technology in the near future.
For more information please visit the Catylix web site: http://www.catylix.com

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About Catylix, Inc.
Catylix, Inc. is a privately-held Delaware corporation specializing in the development of novel catalysts and reagents for chemical synthesis, with a focus on easier incorporation of fluorinated functionality to improve the effectiveness of biologically-active compounds.