Tools for an enhanced solvent properties screening in the early stages of pharmaceutical process development

• An enhanced solvent property screening methodology is proposed.
• A database is developed to turn solvents data into decision making information.
• A properties representation chart is capable to highlight solvent issues and benefits.
• A telescoping tool allows exploring the reduction in the number solvents used.
• Quick reference about solvents performance without having subjectivity by scores.

The objective of this research was the implementation of tools for the evaluation of solvents trough property screening in the early stages of process development. An important feature of the tools is that the implementation of indexes, scores, or weights is avoided. Information already available from the literature was stored in a database in order to turn raw data into decision making information. As a result, a solvent radar chart, a solvent representation table, and a solvent telescopying tool were developed in an ASP.NET application. The synthesis of Propranolol was used as study case in order to explore the selection of solvents in the early stages of process development. The replacement of diethyl ether was possible in the extraction step, while solvent choices were detected for potential telescoping for extraction and crystallisation steps. Solubility was found as a critical parameter in telescoping analysis. The methodology proposed enhanced the view towards a more holistic perspective and a more robust solvent screening process. As a consequence, the next steps into solvent evaluation and process development can be reduced.