Simplest alkylphenols isomeric mixtures Essay Example

Simplest alkylphenols isomeric mixtures Essay Introduction Cresols Cresols merely are isomeric mixtures of the simplest alkylphenols. Its molecular expression is C7H8O, and it occurs in three chief isomers: A corporate term used for the mixture of the three isomer is tricresol. As pure substances, o- and p- methyl phenol are crystalline ; m-cresol is a syrupy oil at room temperature. { 2 } Cresols are colorless and have a phenol-like smell. They are extremely flammable, reasonably soluble in H2O and soluble in ethyl alcohol, ether, propanone, or alkali hydrated oxides. Cresols and cresol derived functions ( quintessences and esters ) are by and large distributed in nature. They are formed as metabolites of assorted micro-organisms and are found in the piss of mammals. Humans eliminate, on norm, 87 milligram of p-cresol per twenty-four hours in the urine [ 3 ] . Assorted signifiers of methyl phenols can besides be detected in the infusions and H2O vapour distillations of some workss. Minute sum of methyl phenols can besides be found in certain nutrient and drinks e.g tomatoes, mushrooms and black tea We will write a custom essay sample on Simplest alkylphenols isomeric mixtures specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on Simplest alkylphenols isomeric mixtures specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on Simplest alkylphenols isomeric mixtures specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer Considerable sums of methyl phenol may be formed and enter surface Waterss if woods are pyrolyzed by pyroclastic flow from break outing vents, as happened after the eruption of Mount St. Helens in 1980 [ 3 ] . Coal pitch was originally the exclusive beginning of methyl phenol production until universe war 2, after which they were besides obtained exhausted refinery caustics. Since the mid-1960s, they have been produced synthetically on an progressively big graduated table. Approximately 60 % of the planetary production of methyl phenol is now met by man-made paths Properties: Chemical Properties: Sourness Cresols are weak acids and that dissolve in aqueous base to organize H2O stable salts known as cresolates. They can hence be extracted into Na hydroxide solution from dissolver that are non mixable with H2O. There sourness is so low ( pKa 10.1 10.3 ) to the extent that it can be liberated from cresolates by H sulphide and C dioxide. Chemical reactions Cresols can undergo etherification with alkyl halides, dialkyl sulphates, dialkyl carbonates and toluenesulfonic acid esters. They besides undergo esterification with acyl anhydrides or acyl chlorides to organize the corresponding tolyl esters. Chemical reaction with sulfur oxytetrafluoride at 150 C will give flourotoluene, whilst reactions with diphenylphosphine trichloride at 220 C and phosphorus tribromide at 280 C will give chlorotoluene and bromotoluene severally Hydrogenation can happen in vapour stage at 300-400 C and at force per unit area of up to 8MPa in the presence of accelerators that contains passage metals and aluminium oxides to give methylbenzene. Oxidation reactions of methyl phenols depend on the oxidizing agent, reaction conditions and the place of the methyl group. This reaction occurs by free extremist mechanisms and the green goods assorted compounds such as hydroquinones, quinols, quinines, furans and tolyl quintessences Cresols readily undergo electrophilic permutation. The substituent enters the karyon chiefly in the o- and p- places relative to the hydroxyl group. If o- or p methyl phenols is heated with friedel-crafts catatlyst, isomeriztion to m-cresol, which is thermodynamically the most stable, occurs. When heated with CO2 under force per unit area dry base metal cresolates produces hydroxyl ( methyl ) benzoic acid. When methanal is added to cresols in the presence of base and at room temperature hydroxyl ( methyl ) benzyl intoxicants are form, but in the presence of an acid and at higher temperature the intoxicant condenses to organize high molecular rosins. At high temperature unalloyed steel is attacked by methyl phenols to a noticeable extent, the badness of the onslaught depends on the H2O content. Chromium steels are somewhat more immune to assail by methyl phenols than unalloyed steel. Tantalum is considered to be wholly immune to cresols. The caustic behaviour of methyl phenols can alter significantly with the presence of other compounds. The physical belongingss of methyl phenols shown in the tabular array below: Separation of methyl phenols O-cresols can easy be separated from the mixture of the three isomers through distillment. This is non the instance for m-cresol and p-cresol due to the minute difference in their boiling points. Below is the list of some the procedures employed in the separation of m-/p- methyl phenol mixtures: Crystallization: Although m and P methyl phenols have near boiling points, there is an appreciable difference in there runing point which indicates that crystallisation can be used in for separation. Adsorption: Alkali metal-modified or alkalic earth metal-modified zeolites, and besides Ti dioxide, adsorb p-cresol more strongly than m-cresol { 4 } . Therefore a mixture of P and m methyl phenols can be separated in an surface assimilation column and dissolved once more with a suited desorbing liquid such as an aliphatic intoxicant, e.g. , a mixture of 1-hexanol and 2-heptanol, or a ketone Separation via Ester or salt formation: The female parent spirits enriched with p-cresol ( e.g. , to a m/p ratio of 35: 65 ) from the precipitation with sodium ethanoate can respond with oxalic acid to give the semiester or diester, which is precipitated on chilling to 20 A °C. The ester is separated and so hydrolyzed by heating with H2O at 85 % in the presence of the several nonionic dissolver. The oxalic acid may be precipitated on chilling and recycled. The p-cresol dissolves in the organic dissolver, from which it is isolated by distillment. The jumping usage of both procedures separates m- and p-cresol about wholly { 4 } Alkylation with Isobutylene: Alkylation of m-/p- cresol mixture gives a mixture of butylated m-cresol and p-cresols. Dealkylation of either or both of these merchandises makes it possible to acquire pure m-cresol and p-cresol. Uses O-cresol O-cresol can be chlorinated to 4-chloro-o-cresol and can be used as a get downing stuff for the production of chlorophenoxyalkanoic acids, 4-chloro-2-methylphenoxyacetic acid and 2- ( 4-chloro-2-methylphenoxy ) -propionic acid ; these acids are of import as selective weedkillers. A smaller proportion of o-cresol can besides be nitrated to 4,6-dinitro-o-cresol, which can be used in the production and distillment of cinnamene as a polymerisation inhibitor. O-cresol of high pureness is now being processed to epoxy-o-cresol novolak rosins which are utile as sealing stuffs for incorporate circuits ( french friess ) . Normal choice o-cresol is besides employed in the alteration of traditional phenol-formaldehyde rosins. O-cresol is besides of import as a precursor of assorted dye intermediates, of which the most of import in footings of measure is o-cresotinic acid ( o-hydroxymethylbenzoic acid ) produced by the kolbes synthesis. { 5 } This acid can besides be used in the pharmaceutical industry. O-cresols can be used as a dissolver, straight or after it has been hydrogenated to 2-methylcyclohexanol or 2-methylcyclohexanone. O-cresol in the signifier of its carbonated ester is used as a get downing stuff in the synthesis of coumarin. Alkylation of o-cresol with propene green goodss carvacrol, which is used in aromas and as an antiseptic. Alkylated with isobutene, little sums of o-cresols can be used as get downing stuffs in the production of antioxidants and in the production of constituents used for thermic recording stuffs. M- and p- methyl phenols A mixture of these two isomers can organize a starting stuff for contact insect powders like O, O-dimethyl-O- ( 3-methyl-4-nitrophenyl ) thionophosphoric acid and O, O-dimethyl-O- ( 3-methyl-4-methylthiopheny ) thionophosphoric acid. Although pure m-cresol can besides function this intent. M-cresol is used in the synthesis of phenyl m-tolyl quintessence ( m-phenoxytoluene ) , which can so be oxidized to m-phenoxybenzaldehyde, which can served as a edifice block in the production of insect powders of the pyrethroid type. An of import get downing stuff for the synthesis of vitamin E is 2,3,6-trimethyphenol, this can be produced by the selective methylation of pure m-cresol with methyl alcohol. Alkylation of m-cresol with isobutene green goodss 6-tert-butyl-m-cresol which can be condensed with sulfur bichloride to give 4,4A?-thiobis ( 6-tert-butyl-m-cresol ) , an of import antioxidant for polythene and polypropene. More antioxidants are produced from 6-tert-butyl-m-cresol by condensation with butyraldehyde or crotonaldehyde. In Japan, amination of m-cresol is used to bring forth m-toludine 4-chloro-m-cresol which is used as a germicide and preservative can be produced by selective chorination of either pure m-cresol or a mixture of m-/p-cresols. An of import field of application for proficient methyl phenol mixtures is the production of modified phenoplast rosins by condensation with methanal. The suitableness and monetary value of methyl phenol mixtures for this purpose depends on their content of m-cresol, the most reactive of the three isomers. Cresol mixtures are extremely of import as dissolvers for man-made rosin coatings ( wire enamels ) . { 5 } Impersonal phosphorous acid esters which are used as fire immune hydraulic fluids, additives in lubricators, air filter oils and flameproof plasticisers for PVC and other plastics can be produced from mixtures of m-/p-cresols that do non incorporate the o isomer. Due to its bactericidal and fungicidal belongingss, methyl phenols can be used as germicides in soap. Condensation of methanal with cresolsulfonic acid and Sulfonation of novaks obtained from methyl phenols are used to bring forth man-made tanning agent. Cresols are besides used as wood preservatives. Cresols are used in Ore floatation, fiber intervention, as metal degreaser, as pull outing dissolvers, and as agents for taking carbonisation sedimentations from internal burning engines. Hydrogenation of methyl phenols green goodss methylcyclohexanol and methylcyclohexanone which are used in the pigment and fabric industries. Xylenols Xylenol or dimethylphenol is an arene compound with two methyl groups and a hydroxyl group. The name xylenol comes from xylol and phenol Xylenol occurs in six isomeric signifiers: Commercially, 2-6 xylenol is considered to be the most utile out of the six isomers. Properties The Physical belongingss are shown in the affiliated tabular array: Xylenols are colourless crystallising compounds that are soluble in intoxicant, propanone, and in many other organic dissolvers. They are less soluble in H2O than the methyl phenols { 5 } . There sourness is by and large lower than that of methyl phenol, except for 3,5-xylenol. They are normally soluble in aqueous Na hydrated oxide but the extent of solubility depends on the isomer. The chemical belongingss are similar to that of the methyl phenols Separation: Crude xylenols can be separated into its different isomers by fractional distillment. The different isomers at the matching boiling point are highlighted below. 2,4-xylenol and 2,5-xylenol are contained in the fraction boiling point at 208-212 A °C at 101.3 kPa. Crystallization method is used to divide these isomers since the difference in their boiling point at 101.3 kPa is 0.2 C 2,3-Xylenol is isolated from a fraction boiling at 215-218 A °C by selective dephenolation with dilute aqueous Na hydrated oxide, debut of the free phenols into milk of calcium hydroxide, and depriving with steam ; it can so be purified by recrystallization from benzine { 5 } 3,5-xylenols is crystallized by chilling the fractions with boiling points scope of 218-221 C, 3,4-xylenols is besides obtained this manner but with a fraction of boiling points of 223-225 C Separation of 2,6 xylenols: In the azeotropic distillment of the m-/p-cresol fraction with steam, 2,6-xylenol crystallizes from the condensate. 2,6-Xylenol can be distilled from cresolate caustics because of its lower sourness, after which it is obtained from the condensate by extraction with benzene.. In fractions rich with 2,6-xylenol like the one obtained from synthesis by the methylation of phenol, the 2,6-xylenol can be separated from m- and p-cresol and other phenols by countercurrent extraction with aqueous Na hydroxide-hydrocarbon mixtures. Uses Xylenol mixtures can be used as dissolver for wire enamels, germicides, fabric aides and in ore floatation. Xylenol-formaldehyde rosins can be manufactured from mixtures rich in 3,5-xylenols and xylenols with two H atoms in the o- and p-positions Nontoxic plasticiziers and trixylenyl phosphates which are used as fire-retardant hydraulic fluids can be produced from Xylenols that are without an o-methyl group. 2,4-/2,5-Xylenol mixtures constitute natural stuffs for antioxidants, particularly those intended for gasolene ( e.g. , 6-tert-butyl-2,4-dimethylphenol ) and rubber [ e.g. , 2-methyl-1,1-bis ( 2-hydroxy-3,5-dimethylphenyl ) propane ] . { 5 } Pure 2,5-xylenol is besides used in the pharmaceutical industry for the production of lipid reducing agents. 2,6-xylenols is primary used to bring forth poly ( phenylene oxide ) resins. Oxidation of 2,6-xylenol gives 2,6-xylenol dimer, a forte monomer to bring forth epoxy rosins for encapsulating advanced semiconducting materials. { 6 } Condensation of 2,6-xylenol with acetone green goodss 2,2-Bis ( 4-hydroxy-3,5-dimethylphenyl ) propane ( tetramethylbisphenol A ) which is used as an intermediate for polycarbonates whose belongingss are similar to that of poly ( phenylene oxide ) resins. Treated with ammonium hydroxide, 2,6-Xylenol outputs 2,6-dimethylaniline, which is used in the industry of pesticides and besides in the production of pharmaceuticals. Xylenols are besides used in little sums in the synthesis of dyes and in the production of aromas. Feedstock: There are several paths to bring forth methyl phenols and xylenols runing form natural paths to man-made paths, some of which are listed below: Sythentic paths from methylbenzene Splitting of cymene hydroperoxide Methylation of phenol Production from coal pitch Production from naptha checking The feedstock required mostly depends on the production path and the specific isomers required. The procedure paths are extensively covered in subdivision 4 Safety Cresols and xylenols burn the tegument and mucose membranes through debasement of proteins, likewise to phenols. Initially white and later chocolate-brown black necroses appear on the tegument. { 5 } Certain persons may demo hypersensitivity symptoms in add-on to the caustic consequence. Absorption occurs even more quickly when the compounds are in the liquid province. Severe harm to the wellness can happen even if the open portion of the tegument is comparatively little. Inhalation of the compounds besides leads to severe poisoning whose symptoms includes concern, giddiness, sickness, purging, muscular vellication and depending on the badness, loss of consciousness. As these compounds are quickly absorbed through the tegument, a causal intervention of the toxic condition is non yet in being, although a good first assistance step would be to rinse it off the tegument every bit shortly as possible. A mixture of polythene ethanediol and ethyl alcohol in the ratio of 2:1 has been proven to be the most suited for this intent and it is extremely recommended that it is readily available in countries where methyl phenols and xylenols are being handled. It is besides recommended that when working with these two compounds, it should be done in closed setup if possible. Suites should be good ventilated and safeguards such as air locks and gas compensation technique should be in topographic point to avoid the inspiration of cresol/xylenol vapor. With brassy point of the different isomers of both compounds runing from 80-87 C, the storage and transit are handled with extreme attention. Cresols and xylenols are normally stored in well-sealed containers in a cool and good ventilated country. During transit, well-sealed and protective containers are besides used ; the high flammability and the caustic nature of the substances are besides indicated on the label. Further information sing the safety and handling of methyl phenols and xylenols can be found in the MSDS included in the appendices and subdivision 4 Environmental Consideration Cresols and xylenols are readily biodegradable, although cresol degrades faster than xylenol. Waste H2O incorporating 900mg/l of methyl phenols can be treated utilizing biological works with appropriately adapted bacteriums. In the environment, methyl phenols are degraded at low concentrations, particularly by bacteriums that are widely distributed in the dirt and H2O ( peculiarly Pseudomonas species ) . Degradation by other beings, including barms, Fungis, algae, and higher workss, every bit good as by photolysis, is besides known. { 6 } Because of these grounds methyl phenols and xylenol do non prevail in the environment. Due to its toxicity in H2O, there are rigorous Torahs regulating their release into the aquatic environment. Liquid methyl phenols and xylenols can be absorbed with absorbents like sawdust, peat or diatomaceous earth and so later fire off in particular incineration workss. â€Å"Solidified merchandises should non be dissolved, but removed automatically. Concluding residues can be neutralized with 2 3 % aqueous Na hydrated oxide and flushed with plentifulness of H2O into suited drains taking to a biological effluent intervention plant† Cresols and xylenols nowadays in waste gas watercourses can be removed by scouring the watercourse with sodium hydrated oxide or by firing. Adsorption on activated C is another method that can be used ; this method can roll up up to 0.5kg of cresols/kg. The adsorbate is recovered when the activated C is regenerated. Market and Resources Size The entire production of methyl phenol was estimated to be 175,000 t/a, of which 105 000t was produced via man-made path and 70 000t via natural paths. Approximately 42,000t are produced in the United States, 50,000t in Europe, 58000t in Japan and 25000 T in South Africa. The natural methyl phenol comes from the gasification of coal, from coaking of coal and exhausted refinery caustics in a ratio of 50:35:15. { 7 } The entire end product of methyl phenols have been worsening in the past decennary, this fact can be attributed to a figure of grounds which includes worsening markets, the entryway of 2,6-xylenol manufacturers into the o-cresol market, the outgrowth of South Africa in the market for purified methyl phenols, the worsening handiness of coal pitchs from coking procedures and of exhausted refinery caustics, and the increasing environmental costs. Approximately 165,000t of xylenols are produced yearly, chiefly from United States, Western Europe, and Japan. Xylenol mixtures histories for 30 000 40 000 T, 2,6-xylenol for 125 000 T, and the staying single isomers ( particularly 2,4- , 2,5- and 3,5-xylenol ) , obtained by synthesis or isolated from mixtures, for 10 000 T. Xylenol mixtures are chiefly obtained from exhausted refinery caustics and coal pitchs in the United States, South Africa and Europe As mentioned earlier, there are several procedure paths to methyl phenols and xylenol, nevertheless the most utilised 1s are: Production from coal pitch Production from naptha checking Methylation of phenol Synthesis paths from methylbenzene. The inside informations for each of the named procedure paths will be covered in the ulterior facet of this study, below is merely an lineation of the procedure paths and states where it is being utilized. Production FROM COAL TAR Historically, Cresylic acids ; a corporate name for the mixture of methyl phenols phenol and xylenol have been produced from coal pitch isolated during the gasification or carbonisation of coal. The chief feedstock for this procedure is coal pitch and the merchandise is normally a mixture of methyl phenol, phenol and xylenols. Countries and makers that employ the usage of coal pitch in the production of Cresylic acid are outline as follows: Cresylic acids have been traditionally produced from low-temperature coal pitchs in the United Kingdom, with the most outstanding manufacturer being Coalite chemicals. Cresylic acids and 3,5-xylenols are produced in Germany by RuA? tgers VFT AG utilizing coal pitch chemical science â€Å"CdF Chimie in France and Nippon Steel Chemical Co. of Japan have besides been bring forthing some coal pitch based cresols† { 1 } SASOL of South Africa is a major manufacturer of Cresylic acid, and it has been reported methyl phenols of 99 % pureness can be supplied for selected clients. Production FROM NAPTHA CRACKING In the USA, methyl phenols and xylenols have been produced from the naphtha fractions from catalytic thermic snap. The merchandises normally contain up to 1 % C6-C8 phenols. Sulphur Compounds such as alkyl and aryl thiols are treated with concentrated alkalic solutions in a procedure known as sweetener and methyl phenols and xylenols are recovered from exhausted acerb washes, bring forthing Na cresolates/xylenolates. The composing of the exhausted acerb cresolates scopes from 20-25 % of C6-C8 phenols and 10-15 % sulfur compounds. The acerb washes are so collected by companies that produce methyl phenols of which Merichem of Houston, Texas is the most outstanding. This method is largely confine to the USA because of the deficiency of cresolates feedstocks in other states. METHYLATION OF PHENOL This procedure is mostly used for the production of o-cresols and 2,6 xylenols, the procedure consists of merely one reaction measure based on phenol, which is comparatively expensive. Separating the merchandises can besides be dearly-won because of the similarity in boiling points. This procedure can either be carried out in the vapor stage or the liquid stage, with the most common path being the vapour stage path. Methylation in the vapour stage is utilized by: General Electric Co. in the United States ( capacity 5000 t/a of o-cresol and 70 000 t/a of 2,6-xylenol ) Inspec Fine Chemicals ( once Man-made Chemicals, now a portion of Laporte ) in the United Kingdom ( capacity 10 000 t/a of o-cresol and 2,6-xylenol, but the works is besides used for the production of 2,4-xylenol by methylation of p-cresol and for 2,5-xylenol and 2,3,6-trimethyphenol by methylation of m-cresol ) Chemopetrol in the Czech Republic ( capacity 10 000 t/a of o-cresol, m/p-cresol, 2,6-xylenol and other xylenols ) Nippon Crenol ( joint venture of Asahi Chemical Industry and Nippon Steel Chemical Company ; capacity 8000 t/a of o-cresol and 15 000 of t/a 2,6-xylenol ) , GEM Polymers ( joint venture of General Electric Company, Mitsui Chemicals Co. , and Mitsui Toatsu Chemicals ; ( capacity 2500 t/a of o-cresol and 11 500 t/a of 2,6-xylenol ) , Mitsubishi Gas Chemical Company ( capacity 5000 t/a of 2,6-xylenol ) and Honshu Chemical Industry Co. ( capacity 5000 of t/a 2,5-xylenol and chiefly 2,3,6-trimehyphenol by methylation of m-cresol ) all of which are in Japan Synthesis paths from methylbenzene There are three possible man-made paths from methylbenzene Sulfonation of methylbenzene Alkylation of methylbenzene with propene Chlorination of methylbenzene Sulfonation of methylbenzene: Sulfonation of methylbenzene is normally used in the production of p-cresol and o-cresol. Companies that makes usage of this procedure includes Inspec Fine Chemicals in United Kingdom ( 15000 -16000t/a ) Konan Chemicals, Japan ( 4000t/a ) Atul limited in India ( 5500t/a ) Commercial workss that employ the usage of Alkylation of methylbenzene with propene includes Mitsui Petrochemical Industries Limited and Sumitomo Chemical Co. Ltd which are both in Japan. The capacity of the workss are about 20,000t/a The lone commercial works in the universe that uses chlorination of methylbenzene is operated by BAYER AG in Germany. Easy handiness of Cl at a low monetary value might hold made Bayer s works still attractive. { 7 } Market Although used in aromas and nutrient additives, the chief markets for methyl phenol and xylenol are in the pharmaceutical and agrochemical industries. Pharmaceutical industry Cresol and xylenol derived functions, particularly p-cresol derived functions have been used as an of import intermediate in the pharmaceutical industry. Compounds derived from p-derivative include dilitiazem hydrochloride and trimethoprin. P-cresol derived functions such as Para-anisic aldehyde and p-anisic intoxicant have been used as feedstock for production of of import majority drugs. P-anisic aldehyde is used as a critical natural stuff in production of Dilitiazem. Dilitiazem hydrochloride is a calcium antagonist high blood pressure drug. It produces its antihypertensive consequence chiefly by relaxation of vascular smooth musculus and the attendant lessening in perepheral vascular opposition. The magnitude of blood force per unit area decrease is related to the grade of high blood pressure { 7 } . Introduced in the 1970s dilitiazem is presently being produced in Japan, India, Israel and Holland with the planetary production estimated at 1000t/a. it has been reported that there is expected growing of about 7-8 % in production of Dilitiazem during the following few old ages. It is besides of import to observe that India is presently the largest maker of p-anisic aldehyde. P-cresol have besides replaced Gallic acid as the get downing stuff for the production of 3,4,5-trimethoxy benzaldehyde which is later used in the synthesis of trimethoprim. States that make usage of the engineering for the for the synthesis of trimethoprin from 3,4,5-trimethoxy benzaldehyde includes USA, Canada, UK, Germany, France, Switzerland, Spain, Denmark and India. The planetary demand for trimethoprim is estimated to be around 500t/a with about 300t/a produced in India. These are merely two named illustrations of how methyl phenols and xylenols can be utilized in the pharmecutical industry. They serve as edifice blocks to legion other drugs which includes vitamin E. Going into the elaborate production of each drug produced is beyond the range of this study. However because of their huge application, the pharmaceutical industry is a moneymaking market for methyl phenol and xylenol and their derived functions. Agrochemicals The germicide, bactericidal and antifungal belongingss of Cresylic acids have been known for the last 60 old ages. Cresols were used in domestic application as bactericidal and para-chloro-meta-cresol is besides used as wood preservatives. However, it is non merely the first coevals derived functions of single methyl phenols but secondary and even third derived functions that have proved to be really of import works growing regulators or agrochemicals apart from their utilizations as family insect and pest repellants { 7 } As mentioned with the pharmaceutical industry, methyl phenol and xylenol are of import intermediate used in the production of agrochemicals, traveling into inside informations of the different agrochemical produced would be diversing from the chief intent of these study.

Alzheimer’s disease Essays

Alzheimer’s disease Essays Alzheimer’s disease Essay Alzheimer’s disease Essay This specific instance is about Eli Lilly developing a new drug which is said to cure Alzheimer’s disease. However, when patients started taking the drug, their condition even regressed. Moreover, they risked developing skin cancer. Although there are various aspects involved here, the problem that this paper will address is that of ethical practices. Lilly obviously conducted laboratory tests which proved successful. When they tested the drug in real people with Alzheimer’s, they realized that it’s not working and it’s even contributing to a worse case of Alzheimer’s. But what could have been done in order to prevent this type of scenario? The next question here is, to what degree must human testing be done in order to serve the common good? Given that the experiment was successful, the next the Lilly will do is to mass produce and manufacture this drug and sell it to people with Alzheimer’s. But now that it turned wrong, were the experiment participants insured before the experimentation began? Should the experts considered stopping the experimentation when the first few symptoms of regression appeared? Lilly is a global pharmaceutical plant leading in most researches to discover new medications for various types of disease. However, in this particular experimentation procedure, pharmaceutical ethics were not applied. There could be a â€Å"greater good† which needs to be attained- even though it means sacrificing other people to do so. Anyway, since the experimentation was not successful and Lilly expressed that it will not continue the research on this drug anymore, then goals were not met. There was no wonder Alzhemier’s drug that was created and it even caused more suffering both to the Alzheimer’s patients who tested the medication and their family. Bibliography Kolata, G. (2010, August 18). Doubt on Tactic in Alzheimer’s Battle. Retrieved August 21, 2010, from nytimes. com/2010/08/19/health/19alzheimers. html? _r=1ref=health Appendix A Doubt on Tactic in Alzheimer’s Battle By GINA KOLATA Published: August 18, 2010 The failure of a promising Alzheimer’s drug in clinical trials highlights the gap between diagnosis - where real progress has recently been made - and treatment of the disease. It was not just that the drug, made by Eli Lilly, did not work - maybe that could be explained by saying the patients’ illness was too far advanced when they received it. It was that the drug actually made them worse, the company said. And the larger the dose they took, the worse were patients’ symptoms of memory loss and inability to care for themselves. Not only that, the drug also increased the risk of skin cancer. So when Lilly announced on Tuesday that it was ending its large clinical trials of that drug, semagacestat, researchers were dismayed. â€Å"Obviously, this is disappointing news, to say the least,† said Dr. Steven Paul, an Alzheimer’s researcher and a recently retired executive vice president at Lilly. Beyond the setback for Lilly, the study raises questions about a leading hypothesis of the cause of Alzheimer’s and how to treat it. The idea, known as the amyloid hypothesis, says the disease occurs when a toxic protein, beta amyloid, accumulates in the brain. The idea is that if beta amyloid levels are reduced, the disease might be slowed, halted or even prevented if treatment starts early enough. The Lilly drug, like most of the more than 100 Alzheimer’s drugs under development, blocks an enzyme, gamma secretase, needed to make beta amyloid. It was among the first shown to breach the blood-brain barrier and reduce levels of beta amyloid in the brain. And, company studies showed, it did reduce amyloid production. â€Å"We did get enough in the brain to have an effect,† said Dr. Eric Siemers, medical director of Lilly’s Alzheimer’s disease team. â€Å"Unfortunately, the effect was not what we wanted. † Now researchers are focused on what went wrong, and why. Some, like Dr. Lon Schneider, an Alzheimer’s researcher at the University of Southern California, say the drug’s failure may mean the field is rushing off a cliff in its near single-minded focus on blocking the production of amyloid. Dr. Schneider, like most leading Alzheimer’s researchers, consults for a number of drug companies, including Lilly. The Lilly study’s failure, he said, â€Å"chips away at that approach to testing the amyloid hypothesis. † â€Å"We don’t know what the drug targets for Alzheimer’s disease are,† Dr. Schneider said. â€Å"We don’t know because we don’t know the causes of Alzheimer’s. † At the very least, said Dr. P. Murali Doraiswamy, an Alzheimer’s researcher at Duke University, the Lilly result â€Å"clearly tells us that our current views may be too simplistic. † Dr. Doraiswamy said he was not abandoning the amyloid hypothesis. But, he said, â€Å"this is a time of major soul-searching in the field. † â€Å"What worries me is that we don’t know if this was a toxicity unique to Lilly’s drug and this late-stage population or whether it also applies to similar anti-amyloid therapies given at earlier stages of the disease,† Dr. Doraiswamy said. The bad news came on the heels of what researchers see as a resurgence of hope in this challenging field. With new cooperation in research they have made advances in diagnosing Alzheimer’s, a disease that used to be uncertain until autopsy. And those new diagnostic tests are still exciting, researchers said. PET scans of amyloid plaques in the brain and tests of cerebrospinal fluid can show amyloid accumulation long before people have symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease and, as recently reported, appear to identify people at high risk of the disease. Researchers believe the best time to try to alter the course of the disease is before memory loss. By then, brain cells are dead or dying and are unlikely to be restored. At this point, though, when there is no treatment, those tests are primarily a benefit for companies testing new therapies and researchers trying to understand the disease’s progress. . The long journey of semagacestat began more than a decade ago when Lilly scientists discovered it could block gamma secretase in laboratory experiments. Years of work followed, showing it appeared safe, that it got into the brains of people, that it reduced the production of amyloid in the brain. Finally, in 2008, Lilly began two large studies of semagacestat, enrolling more than 2,600 people with Alzheimer’s disease. The company did not expect its drug to reverse the disease - patients’ brains were too ravaged for that, said Richard Mohs, Lilly’s team leader in Alzheimer’s research. But it did hope to slow the disease’s progression. Now, with the abrupt end of the studies, patients will continue to be followed but no one will be taking any more of the drug. â€Å"The fact that people got worse means there is biology we don’t understand,† Dr. Mohs said. There are several possible explanations. One is that the drug altered the functioning of other proteins in the brain and body - it now appears that gamma secretase is involved in the production of about 20 proteins in addition to beta amyloid. Companies, including Lilly, are developing drugs that block gamma secretase from making amyloid but have little effect on other proteins. One company, Bristol-Myers Squibb, says that is what its drug does. Its drug is now being tested in two clinical trials. In one, the participants have Alzheimer’s. In the other, they have lesser memory impairment and have brain amyloid PET scans and tests of cerebrospinal fluid showing amyloid is accumulating in their brains, indicating that they are likely to develop Alzheimer’s. â€Å"We still like the amyloid hypothesis,† said Charlie Albright, a Bristol-Myers group director in neuroscience biology. The Lilly drug failure â€Å"doesn’t affect our enthusiasm about going forward. † Another possibility is that the enzyme is decreasing production not just of a dangerous form of amyloid, known as a beta 42, but also of another form, a beta 40, that may protect the brain. Companies are developing so-called selective gamma secretase inhibitors, Dr. Paul said, which only block the production of a beta 42. Lilly and other companies are also testing monoclonal antibodies to reduce amyloid levels. And companies are pursuing a more difficult target - blocking a protein, tau, that accumulates in dead and dying nerve cells after the disease is under way. But Alzheimer’s experts worry about the future. The research is extremely expensive - Lilly spent hundreds of millions of dollars on its failed drug - and it can take a decade or more to know if a drug works. It can take even longer if drugs are tested in people with mild symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease or in people who are at high risk but have no symptoms yet - a direction many think is necessary to really make a difference. â€Å"Failures certainly don’t build energy and enthusiasm,† said Dr. Samuel Gandy, an Alzheimer’s researcher at Mount Sinai Medical Center. â€Å"The market is still there, but failures do take their toll. † A version of this news analysis appeared in print on August 19, 2010, on page A14 of the New York edition.