High Energy Development and Manufacturing

Cambrex's expertise in High Energy compounds and hazardous materials dates back to the work of Alfred Nobel and his founding the site in Karlskoga, Sweden in 1896. Since then, our continuous application and development of highly energetic processes and dedication to quality has laid a solid foundation for our cGMP compliant energetic capabilities.

About High Energy Chemistry

High Energy compounds are chemical compounds with energy of decomposition of more than 1500 J/g.

• High energy APIs
• High energy intermediates
• Low thermal stability intermediates

High Energy reactions are chemical reactions giving an adiabatic temperature rise of more than 200 °C.

• Nitrations with nitric acid
• Catalytic hydrogenations
• Oxidation with nitric acid
• Oxidation with hydrogen peroxide
• Diazotization with sodium nitrite
• Grignard - formation and reaction
• Organic azide formation with NaN₃
• Reduction with LiAlH₄
• Lithiation with BuLi/HexLi
• Sodium hydride as reagent
• Hydroxylamine-HCl as reagent
• Isoxazoles/Oxazoles – manufacture

Safety Management

The manufacturing and development of High Energy compounds requires extra attention to safety procedures, since unwanted side reactions might result in severe injury to personnel and equipment. Many important APIs or pharmaceutical intermediates are created through High Energy reactions and must be manufactured with both proper safety precautions and under cGMP compliancy.

Cambrex provides confidence and ensures safety when working with High Energy compounds

• Cross-functional process hazard analysis and safety management plan
  • Provides a methodical and comprehensive review during each step synthetic route
  • Integrates safety solutions directly into cGMP development and manufacture
• State-of-the-art process safety analysis techniques
  • Process safety testing laboratory
  • Real-time data on hazard potentials for chemical substances and reaction mixtures
• cGMP manufacturing facilities specifically designed for handling high energy compounds
  • Bunkered, remote controlled cGMP facility (located 50 meters from the plant)
  • Operators monitor these reactions without being in the building, thus ensuring the protection and safety of our personnel