Pioneering in catalytic asymmetric isomerization reactions, Takasago succeeded to manufacture the l -menthol by utilizing the chiral ligand BINAP. Processes using BINAP permitted to improve asymmetric hydrogenation of carbonyl compounds as well.

By using such techniques, we have established manufacturing processes for pharmaceutical intermediates, as biologically active drugs affecting to the human body often demand highly enantioselective synthetic methodology. We sustainably offer these chemical processes to the production of pharmaceutical intermediates and antibacterial agents such as antibiotics.

Furthermore, our efforts for the innovation of catalysis in asymmetric hydrogenation led to the development of original ligand named SEGPHOS®.

Nowadays, BINAP and SEGPHOS® are used extensively leading to successful improvements of chemical reactions efficiencies, to reduce their by-products wastes, and surely allows an elegant integration of our chemistry to the environmental-friendly practices. In addition, we have developed BRIDP® ligands in fields other than asymmetric synthesis. Applying this ligand to the cross-coupling reaction such as an N-aylation of amine, we succeeded to develop the efficient manufacturing of organic photoconductors (OPCs).

Recently, we have developed Ru-MACHO® catalysts for ester reduction with hydrogen, RUCY® catalysts for super-fast asymmetric hydrogenation, DENEB® catalysts for highly active asymmetric transfer hydrogenation, and ZnTAC24® catalyst for transesterification, and have also succeeded in expanding the scope of application.

By utilization of the catalyst technologies and introducing continuous flow manufacturing, we contribute to green and sustainable chemistry that is friendly to the environment, such as increasing reaction efficiency and reducing by-products.

＊SEGPHOS, Ru-MACHO, DENEB, RUCY, BRIDP, and ZnTAC24 are registered trademarks or trademarks of Takasago International Corporation in Japan and other countries.