Benzo[b]thiophene: Woman scientist from Chennai granted patent for green technology producing medicinally important compound

What is the News?

A Women Scientist from IIT Madras has been granted a patent for developing a green methodology for producing a medicinally important compound called Benzo[b]thiophene.

What is Benzo[b]thiophene?

Benzo[b]thiophene is a medical compound present in a range of medicines such as raloxifene (used in osteoporosis), zileuton (used in asthma), and sertaconazole (antifungal medication).

Currently, available synthesis methods of the compound are not environmentally friendly. The disadvantages include the use of very high temperatures, sulphur emission with an unpleasant smell, expensive starting materials and so on.

Apart from this, the reactions are carried out in closed vessels, exposing the process to the risk of explosion and the use of OLED lights required in the reaction increased the cost of the process.

What has the scientist developed?

Scientists have developed a green technology method for producing Benzo[b]thiophene. This method involves using water medium, room temperature, is odourless and carried out in open air. This reduces the risk of explosion, decreases the cost of the process & obviates toxic steps involved in the current method.

Source: This post is based on the article “Woman scientist from Chennai granted patent for green technology producing medicinally important compound” published in PIB on 11th Feb 2022.