High Throughput Screening of Homogeneous Catalysts: Selected Trends and Applications in Process Development

This chapter reviews industrial applications of high throughput screening (HTS) technologies. One should define high throughput in the context of homogeneous catalysis. Most work in this area should be more correctly termed medium throughput or, in comparison to biological screening, even low throughput screening. Due to the need for the realization of a robust experimental protocol, only about 100, or less, experiments yielding useful data can be carried out per day. The type of high throughput discussed in the chapter has established itself as a useful and general tool for quickly starting projects (lead discovery) as well as for optimization (parameter screening). Highly automated equipment became available and concepts were developed in this field. At the same time, pharmaceutical companies also began to propagate a philosophy of outsourcing. This led to a bubble, with small companies being established and large companies investing in technology and know how in order to meet this perceived demand.