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We need some help acquiring quotes for bulk (ton) quantities of chemicals. As part of our open project with the World Health Organization to find an inexpensive, enantioselective synthesis of the drug praziquantel (http://www.thesynapticleap.org/schisto/projects) we are looking for realistic cost estimates of the starting materials/reagents used in the alternative routes. The relevant page where we're asking the question is here: http://www.thesynapticleap.org/node/285

Naturally we could call round the usual suspects and ask for quotes, but there are a lot of companies out there producing raw materials (or who would produce certain materials if they knew there was going to be multi-ton annual demand) and we are wanting to ask as widely as possible. Our synthesis must operate on a very strict cost requirement, so if a certain starting material looks to be too expensive, that could kill that potential route.

Any advice on how we could connect with the right people?

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@Mat, looks like you've got two answers here. If neither does the job, you might want to vote down and/or add comments to them explaining why they're not what you're looking for. Feedback is very important to getting the answer you are looking for. – Rich Apodaca Mar 13 at 18:50

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I second the choice of BASF but it really depends on the route you want. I don't know if BASF can suit the needs of the specified reaction.

One big database containing the suppliers of bulk chemicals including the price would be perfect. Quotes can be passed trough the system providing a good feedback system to the manufacturers. Sadly this is not the case and this results in a good amount of time spend on researching bulk prices.

Excuse me for going off-topic but does anyone know such databases or do they simply don't exist?

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 @Joost - your last sentence looks like it would make a good Chempedia Lab question :). – Rich Apodaca Mar 18 at 18:59
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 A database would be useful, but even more so would be a resource where you could enter the structure of a molecule and custom synthesis companies could bid for the contract to make it. This doesn't exist as far as I know. We have very specific requirements, and a very serious price constraint. – Mat Todd Mar 20 at 18:16
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You could have a look at eMolecules, but they now seem to charge you for getting quotes. I thought this used the be free; I might be mistaken, but this is why I went to the site... Are they actually charging both parties they are linking up??

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May be a long shot, but what about Innocentive?

You can name your price, and I've seen a few challenges in which the prizewinner needs to supply physical material - not just a method for doing so.

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This is a possibility, Rich, yes. Thanks. – Mat Todd Mar 20 at 18:17
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You might like to have a look at BASF, I'm sure they would love to help and they are one of the largest manufactures of bulk chemicals in the world.

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Dear Mat,

I represent MolPort - a database of commercially available chemicals and a marketplace. MolPort is not just a database - we provide practical help with sourcing chemicals. Our experience with bulk chemicals is not as extensive as with screening compounds and reagents. However, I am fairly confident we can help you. I will ask our sales staff to look up suppliers for the chemicals you need. We will need more details for realistic to properly process this.

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Hey that sounds useful. We have made a start on asking for the info here: thesynapticleap.org/node/285. So, as a trial run, how cheaply can we buy one ton of isoquinoline? Ideally for us, could you answer on the Synaptic Leap site? Otherwise here is fine. – Mat Todd Mar 22 at 6:19

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