3 Nov 2003
Eastman and Johnson Matthey Partner on Chiral Ligand Marketing
KINGSPORT, Tenn., Oct. 28, 2003 – Eastman Chemical Company (NYSE:EMN) has entered into an agreement with Johnson Matthey Catalysts to collaborate on the marketing of Eastman’s proprietary BoPhoz chiral ligands. The arrangement enables both companies to promote and supply BoPhoz ligands throughout all segments of the chemical industry.
Johnson Matthey, which has a broad chiral capability of its own, brings a global reach to the alliance, as well as a track record of excellence in the field of catalysis. As part of the agreement, Eastman will source platinum group metals and catalyst precursors used in preparation of BoPhoz catalysts exclusively from Johnson Matthey.
“Eastman has developed an excellent chiral technology position through our BoPhoz family of ligands, which has already generated significant interest in the market place,” said Dr. Julian Parratt, business development manager, pharmaceuticals in Eastman’s Performance Chemical Business Organization. “We believe that this alliance will further the reach and scope of the technology through Johnson Matthey’s recognized excellence in the fields of chiral and achiral catalysis.”
“We are delighted with the agreement as Johnson Matthey’s Catalysis and Chiral Technologies (CCT) business is committed to providing the most extensive technology available in asymmetric catalysis,” said Dr. Martin Durney, vice president of JM CCT.
“The addition of the BoPhoz ligand is a key part of our strategy to offer cost effective asymmetric hydrogenation solutions to our pharmaceutical and fine chemicals customers”.
The BoPhoz family of chiral ligands possesses a unique phosphine-aminophosphine substructure that imparts attributes not commonly found in other chiral catalysts. Among those attributes are:
Shelf stability: BoPhoz chiral ligands show a surprising degree of shelf stability, even at ambient temperature and in the presence of air.
High enantioselectivity: Asymmetric hydrogenation reactions conducted with BoPhoz chiral ligands typically show enantiomeric excesses equal to or higher than any competitive materials.
Ease of use: BoPhoz chiral ligands require no elaborate protection from the atmosphere, unlike other comparable materials.
Cost-effectiveness: BoPhoz ligands are easily prepared and can be readily scaled up from lab to pilot to commercial quantities.
Application: BoPhoz chiral ligands are particularly effective in the preparation of a wide variety of chiral amino acid derivatives.
Reader enquiries
Eastman Chemical Company
Fascinatio Boulevard 602-614
2909 VA Capelle a/d IJssel
Netherlands
Notes for editors
Headquartered in Kingsport, Tennessee, USA, Eastman manufactures and markets chemicals, fibers and plastics worldwide. The company employs approximately 15,800 people in more than 30 countries and had 2002 sales of US$5.3 billion. For more information about Eastman and its products, visit www.eastman.com.
Johnson Matthey is a leading supplier of products, technologies and services to the pharmaceutical, fine and specialty chemical industries. Johnson Matthey’s customized solutions span the entire process cycle, from research and development through commercial-scale manufacturing. Offerings include chiral technologies, process catalysts, catalyst screening and process optimization, API development services and API manufacturing. For more information, contact Connie Schlegel at (856) 384-7151 or visit www.jmcatalysts.com.
Editorial enquiries
Corinne van Iersel
Eastman Chemical Company
Willem van de Velde
EMG