Tom Dobbins

Certificate # 986
7402 NW 18th Avenue
Gainesville, FL 32605
Phone #: 740-501-3715
Specializing in process development, optimization, scale-up, and troubleshooting for fine chemicals, pharmaceutical intermediates, APIs, and nutritional supplements. With a proven track record of meeting deadlines in fast-paced manufacturing and contract research businesses, I am an innovator who holds patents in diverse fields ranging from the synthesis of novel rocket propellants to the purification of phytochemicals. I take a hands-on, safety-conscious approach from the bench to the pilot plant to full scale production, bringing to bear decades of experience combined with a broad and eclectic knowledge of chemistry and engineering.

Areas of Expertise:

  • Organic synthesis including Grignard reactions, liquid ammonia chemistry, hydrogenations, halogenations, esterifications, and polymerizations.
  • Fluorine chemistry
  • Silicon chemistry: silane and siloxane compounds for electronic applications (chemical vapor deposition); silicone oligomers and polymers for coatings and personal care
  • Extraction and isolation of botanicals including cannabis; fragrance and flavor compounds derived from pine and citrus; omega-3 fatty acids; biofuels
  • Rocket propellants and high-energy compounds
  • Fractional distillation (packed and spinning band columns), molecular distillation (wiped film evaporators)
  • Purification by crystallization, ultrafiltration, and column chromatography
  • Analytical method development and validation
  • Technical writing, including research proposals, technical reports, SOPs, patent applications, and technology transfer documents
  • cGMP and 21 CFR regulations
  • Process hazard analysis
  • Operator training
  • Equipment design and selection
  • Literature and patent searches
  • Project management
  • Finding, evaluating, and managing toll manufacturers

Patents:

  • US Patent 8,894,782 “Hypergolic Hydrocarbon Fuels”
  • US Patent 7,084,263 “Process for Isolating Genistin from Mixtures of Soy Isoflavones”
  • US Patent 7,083,690 “Catalyst System for Rendering Organic Propellants Hypergolic with Hydrogen Peroxide”
  • US Patent 6,806,356 “Process for Recovering Secoisolariciresinol Diglycoside from De-fatted Flaxseed”
  • US Patent 6,369,200 “Soy Isoflavone Concentrate Process and Product”
  • US Patent 6,355,816 “Process for Isolating Saponins from Soybean-derived Materials”
  • US Patent 5,138,666 “Voice Transmission System”
  • US Provisional Patent 60/411,229 “Improved Compositions for the Parenteral Administration of Calcium and Magnesium”
  • US Provisional Patent 60/409,151 “Composition and Method for Enhancing the Bioavailability of Calcium and Magnesium in Dietary Supplements and Food Additives”
  • US Patent Application 10/365,102 “Improved Hypergolic Fuels for Use with Nitrogen Tetroxide” (subject to secrecy orders)
  • US Patent Application 10/229,305 “Novel Alkynylsilane Compounds for Use as Propellants and Fuels”
  • US Provisional Patent Application 60/00046 “Improved Process for the Isolation of Phytosterols from Deodorizer Distillate”
  • US Provisional Patent Application 60/0047 “Improved Process for the Synthesis and Isolation of Phytosterol Esters”

Selected Publications:

  • Berhow, M. A., Duval, S. M., Dobbins, T. A. & Maynes, J. “Analysis and Quantitative Determination of Group B Saponins in Processed Soybean Products” Phytochemical Analysis 13:343-348 (2002).
  • Thomas Dobbins, David Wiley, and John Rusek “An Improved Catalyst System for Rendering Organic Propellants Hypergolic with Hydrogen Peroxide” Proceedings of the 5th Hydrogen Peroxide Propulsion Conference (2002)
  • Thomas Dobbins, David Wiley, and John Rusek “Novel Catalysts for Rendering Organic Propellants Hypergolic with Hydrogen Peroxide” Proceedings of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics 38th Joint Propulsion Conference (2002)
  • Thomas Dobbins, David Wiley, and John Rusek “Novel Alkynylsilane Compounds as Rocket Propellant Candidates” Proceedings of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics 38th Joint Propulsion Conference (2002)

Career History:

  • Director of Research & Development and Manufacturing Manager, SynQuest Laboratories
  • Pilot Plant Manager, Optima Chemical Group
  • Senior Chemist, SiVance LLC (Milliken & Company)
  • Director of Research & Development, Organic Technologies (Wiley Companies)

Professional Affiliations:

American Chemical Society
American Oil Chemist’s Society
Association of Consulting Chemists & Chemical Engineers