CHENNAI: An IIT-M researcher has developed a green technology to
produce Benzo(b)thiophene, a key compound used to make drugs to treat
osteoporosis, asthma and fungal infection. It reduces the risk of explosion,
cost of process and removes the hazardous steps involved in the current
method.

E Poonguzhali, the IIT-M researcher form chemistry department who
received a patent, said the method involves using water as a medium, an
odourless xanthate (salt) and inexpensive commercially available starting
(raw) materials and catalysts. The reaction occurs in room temperature, in
open atmosphere and in a one-pot manner or synthesis where reactions
take place in a sequence.

"We can avoid pollution and industrial accidents, save energy and prevent odour. There is only one bi-product, thiolate, for which we are working to find an application...," said Poonguzhali, who worked under the women scientists' scheme of the department of science and technology.

The new method is environment friendly. Benzo(b)thiophene is present in a range of medicines like raloxifene used to treat osteoporosis, zileuton prescribed for asthma and sertaconazole, an antifungal medication.

Prof Sekar, who worked with Poonguzhali, said, "The reaction takes place in water, considered a green approach, and is carried out at room temperature, which is a very important parameter for industrial scale synthesis.