David Willcox1, Deepak Ahuja2, Tim Towne1, Wenke Li1, and Todd McDermott1. (1) Abbott Laboratories, 1401 Sheridan Road, R452-R13, North Chicago, IL 60091, (2) R452-R13, Abbott Laboratories, 1401 Sheridan Road, R452-R13, North Chicago, IL 60091
Variable results from a reaction often points to interactions between multiple steps in the reaction mechanism. This is complicated by reaction intermediates that are difficult to detect by HPLC or spectroscopy. An example of a step in an API process is discussed that illustrates these points. It was found that small changes in a reagent resulted in large changes in selectivity due to the presence of multiple reaction pathways controlled by an equilibrium reaction.