Halocarbon Sales Rise, Showcases Innovative Compounds

Oct. 5, 2010 - PRLog -- River Edge, NJ – Halocarbon Products Corporation, a leading worldwide producer of specialty fluorochemicals and inhalation anesthetics celebrating 60 years in business this year, has seen its sales rise in 2010, a sign of growing economic confidence from customers around the world.

“We’re pleased that our sales are up over last year and that confidence is returning,” said Peter Murin, Halocarbon CEO. “Even more encouraging than the sales increase is the large number of inquiries we’ve been receiving for new compounds. That tells us that companies are optimistic about the future and are back to innovating again after a couple of tough years.”

The company is completing a rework of its website to make it easier for existing and new customers to identify how Halocarbon can help them with their needs. The updated site is expected to launch during CPhI 2010. “With our ever-increasing library of innovative fluorochemicals and a full pipeline of new compounds, we’ve reorganized our site so visitors can more easily see what we can do,” said Murin.

Recent Product Innovations
The company continues its strength in process development and is pleased to now offer 1,1,1-trifluoroacetone, and its derivatives, which are important building blocks for producing fluorinated compounds that have applications in the pharmaceutical, agrochemical and photolithography fields.

The protons on 1,1,1-trifluoroacetone are more acidic compared to acetone, and thus, relatively mild basic conditions are required to make the enolate of trifluoroacetone. This makes the molecule ideal for use to prepare molecules of interest containing a CF3 group, for example, by using a carbon-carbon bond forming reaction like the aldol condensation. Some recent examples in the patent literature where 1,1,1-trifluoroacetone has been used to prepare compounds having applications in pharmaceutical and photolithography fields include:

Histone deacetylase inhibitors based on trihalomethylcarbonyl compounds
U.S. Pat. No. 7,193,105

Lithographic photoresist composition and process for its use
U.S. Pat. No. 6,730,452

In addition to 1,1,1-trifluoroacetone, Halocarbon is pleased to also offer the following trifluoroacetone derivatives.

•   3-Bromo-1,1,1-trifluoroacetone
•   3,3-Dibromo-1,1,1-trifluoroacetone
•   3-Chloro-1,1,1-trifluoroacetone
•   3,3-Dichloro-1,1,1-trifluoroacetone

The brominated derivative of trifluoroacetone has recently been used in the synthesis of novel benzimidazole compounds that have shown promise for use in prophylaxis or treatment of cancer.

Substituted benzimidazoles and methods of preparation
U.S. Pat. No. 7,767,820

Trifluoroethylamine
Trifluoroethylamine is an important building block for the synthesis of fluorinated nitrogen containing molecules that have proven to be versatile intermediates for the synthesis of compounds with useful properties in both agrochemical and pharmaceutical fields. Some examples from the recent patent literature are shown below.

Fused tricyclic mGluR1 antagonists as therapeutic agents
U.S. Pat. No. 7,767,815

Carbonylbenzoxazine compounds for enhancing glutamatergic synaptic responses
U.S.Pat. No. 7,799,913

Trifluoropropanoyl Chloride
Halocarbon recently introduced a C3 fluorinated derivative trifluoropropanoyl chloride. This molecule is a useful intermediate in synthesis of compounds with interesting biological activity; an example is shown below.

Aminopyridines useful as kinase inhibitors
U.S. Pat. No. 7,767,672

“All of these compounds provide useful applications in the agrochemical, pharmaceutical and photolithography fields,” said Murin. “We also have a number of compounds in the pipeline. The combination of our technology, culture of quality, superior process development and responsible manufacturing at our plant in South Carolina delivers a powerful package to our customers.”

Halocarbon is a member of the American Chemistry Council (ACC), and actively participates in the ACC’s Responsible Care® initiative, providing further assurance that the company is actively engaged in providing its employees and the neighborhoods in which they work and do business with the safest possible environment.

About Halocarbon
With headquarters in River Edge, New Jersey, and a state-of-the-art manufacturing plant in North Augusta, South Carolina, USA, Halocarbon is one of the world's leading producers of specialty fluorochemicals. Halocarbon products include inert lubricants, aliphatic fluorochemicals for pharmaceutical and agricultural chemical manufacturing, inhalation anesthetics and other specialty products. For more information, please contact the company at +1-201-262-8899 or at www.halocarbon.com.

Company Contact:               
Ron Epstein
Halocarbon Products Corporation      
201-262-8899
repstein@halocarbon.com               

Agency Contact:
Thor Harris
Percepture
800-707-9190
tharris@percepture.com