This book provides a comprehensive, step-by-step approach to organic process research and development in the pharmaceutical, fine chemical, and agricultural chemical industries. Process R&D describes the steps taken, following synthesis and evaluation, to bring key compounds to market in a cost-effective manner. More people are being hired for work in this area as increasing numbers of drug candidates are identified through combinatorial chemistry and high-throughput screening. The book is directed to industrial (primarily organic) chemists, and academicians (particularly those involved in a growing number of start-up companies) and students who need insight into industrial process R&D. Current books do not describe hands-on, step-by-step, approaches to solving process development problems, including route, reagent, and solvent selection; optimising catalytic reactions; chiral syntheses; and "green chemistry." "Practical Process Research and Development" will be a valuable resource for researchers, managers, and graduate students. * Provides insights into generating rugged, practical, cost-effective processes for the chemical preparation of "small molecules" * Breaks down process optimization into route, reagent and solvent selection, development of reaction conditions, workup, crystallizations and more * Includes over 100 tips for rapid process development * Presents guidelines for implementing and troubleshooting processes