Synthesis of A Drug

[tjguitarz]

This thread is for those with chemistry knowledge or medicinal knowledge.

I am in an organic chemistry lab and we have a project where we need to identify the synthesis of a drug. I took Prozac, but I am having a really difficult time. I've spent 8 hours today looking at patents and searching across google for a way to synthesize Prozac, but I have been COMPLETELY unsuccessful. Can anyone help me out?

The object of the project is to give a synthesis of a drug by using smaller chemicals that you can buy, and the starting chemical can't have more than 6 carbons. In addition, I need to say the amount recovered after each step (percent), and then the atmospheric conditions present at each step.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[vibrokatana]

i'm not sure if drug companies release the exact formula for producing stuff.

I would look at a food product, like splenda, it might be more simple.

 

[tjguitarz]

i'm not sure if drug companies release the exact formula for producing stuff.

I would look at a food product, like splenda, it might be more simple.

Nope. It has to be a drug. As to why they have to say how they produce it...

Drug companies have to say what their drug is. Prozac is a Fluoxetine. When you hear the name Fluoxetine, you can figure out what the structure is of that molecule, and then figure out how to make that molecule yourself. You can then market that new Fluoxetine under a different name -- Happy Pills. I can sell Happy Pills all I want unless it is made the same way Prozac is. That is the only defining thing between some drugs. I am breaking the law if I try to sell Happy Pills and they are made the same way Prozac is.