Corteva – Scalable and cost-effective mono-hydroxylation of relevant process chemistry building blocks
Introduction
The development of a cost effective, safe, and sustainable manufacturing process for crop protection active ingredients is essential for the successful commercialization of agrochemicals.
As part of our efforts of identifying process friendly synthetic technology to enable manufacturing route development, we are seeking a scalable, selective, and cost-effective process for mono-hydroxylation of readily available synthetic building blocks as shown in the figure below. Currently available methods often involve multiple synthetic steps, costly and non-scalable reagents, and long development timeline.
We invite public and private sector scientists to join in our efforts by submitting a proposal to develop and/or demonstrate a low-cost, scalable and sustainable process/method to enable the intended synthetic transformations.
We are seeking short, non-confidential proposals that describe a plan for a scalable, selective and cost-effective process for mono-hydroxylation of readily synthetic building blocks (see figure below).
Proposals should include: 1) Detailed method or plan on how we can develop and implement the process ; 2) Relevant literature or industrial application references; 3) A high-level cost estimate; and 4) A proposed development timeline.
Please exclude any proprietary and confidential information such as specific reagents, process conditions, specific enzymes and/or sequences.
Who can apply?
- Scalable: can be scaled up to >Mton within a development time of 2 years
- Cost effective: less than $30 total conversion cost per kg of product at commercial scale (>100 Mton)
- A feasible path of isolating the desired product with a desirable purity
- Relevant literature or industrial application examples supporting the proposal
- For processes that involve biocatalyst or metal catalyst, commercial source and/or preparation method of the catalysts are desirable
- The proposed process adapts green chemistry principles: minimizing waste generation, using benign solvents, being less hazardous and atomic efficient
- Process presents any significant operation safety concern at commercial scale
- Process requires stoichiometric heavy metals
Acceptable technology readiness levels (TRL):
- Levels 1-9
Awards or Benefits
- Sponsored ResearchUp to $100,000, inclusive of indirect costs*. The funding will be distributed based on the achievement of specific milestones, including proof of concept using Corteva-provided subtract. There is opportunities for extended collaboration and additional funding if successful. *Indirect costs available to academic and nonprofit research institutes only.
- Tools and TechnologiesCorteva in-kind resources as applicable.
- Facilities and ServicesCorteva in-kind resources as applicable.
- ExpertiseCorteva in-kind resources as applicable.
- Compounds and ReagentsCorteva in-kind resources as applicable.