Formulation Chemistry

Simply put formulation is the mixing of compounds which do not react in order to get a mixture with the desired characteristics. Examples of formulations are adhesives, paints, inks, cosmetics, detergents and many pharmaceutical products. This is product development work that is very focused on the characteristics needed for a product to be profitable.

Since no reactions are being done, there is no reason to work with gram formula weights of compounds. Most formulations are done by measuring liquids by volume and solids by weight. A product may go to market without any chemical equations ever being written down.

The chemical principles involved

Quite a bit has been done by a fairly trial and error method. In this scheme, the product development chemist will have a list of substances used to modify mixtures (i.e. thickeners). They will then go through a trial and error process to see what concentration of which compound will work best for a specific application. Of course, the scientists and engineers hired to do this work recognize the value of having an understanding of the processes involved to guide their choices of which to try. In product design more than many other areas, new researchers are hired with very basic knowledge and trained internally to understand formulations. In recent years, there has been an increase in work to develop the underlying scientific principles, and apply them in the form of software to predict formulations. At the present time, some parts of the field are following this approach, while other parts of the field are still using a trial and error scheme.

Where should formulation chemistry fit in the curriculum? A lecture discussion might fit in with either general chemistry or physical chemistry. A laboratory experiment could be included at almost any level, but perhaps freshman is best. Unfortunately, formulations do not make a particularly good graduate research project. The natural collaboration and funding source for a formulation project would be working with an industrial partner. However, the product development stage is one at which industries are most sensitive about keeping their knowledge safely in house. Industries tend to work with academic partners on developing new technology but are very hesitant to share their profitable trade secrets with academic researchers. When collaborations are made, the industry will naturally put strict restrictions on publishing the results (other than in a patent held by them). Since academic researchers base their success on the number of publications rather than on profits this is an unfavorable arrangement for the academic researchers as well.

The following sections give an idea of the concerns addressed by formulation chemists in a number of areas. There are many other areas in which formulations are important. See the references for more research areas.

Adhesives

Paints

Inks

Cosmetics

Detergents

Pharmaceuticals

References

Documents on the web on industrial organic chemistry are at
http://c.chem.ualberta.ca/~plambeck/che/struct/s0909.htm

Documents on the web pertaining to drug formulation are
http://www.clinmark.com/drug-formulation.html
http://w3.ouhsc.edu/bsmith/Drug_Delivery_Systems_I/PHAR%207614%20Syllabus.html.html

Many of the fundamental principles come from physical chemistry. A good starting point is the sections on solutions, phase equilibrium, surface chemistry and solids & liquids in
I. N. Levine "Physical Chemistry" McGraw-Hill (1995)

A compilation of techniques for predicting chemical properties is
W. J. Lyman "Handbook of Chemical Property Estimation Methods" McGraw-Hill (1982)

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