Putting the F in pharma
By 
Rachel Brazil2025-02-10T10:30:00
Adding fluorine to drug molecules can be tricky, but is often worthwhile. Rachel Brazil talks to the chemists trying to tame the ninth element
About 40% of new pharmaceuticals contain fluorine and 25% of all those on the market, including commonly prescribed drugs like atorvastatin (Lipator) and fluoxetine (Prozac). The drawback is the chemistry involved – creating fluorine–carbon bonds often requires harsh, toxic reagents or expensive catalysts. These reactions can also create fluorinated waste that by some definitions will be classed as polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), the harmful ‘forever chemicals’ that accumulate in the environment and are currently under regulatory scrutiny.