State of the art design techniques and synthetic methodologies are employed by Kodak scientists to arrive at the desired target structures. Research in synthetic organic chemistry involves both long range exploratory research and mission oriented research. The synthesis of new organic materials ranges from milligrams to metric tons. Discovery phase of research involves modern tools such as combinatorial chemistry in which multiple reactions can be carried out on solid phase supports or in solution in a parallel fashion followed by automation, purification and characterization. On larger scale, process development using experimental design is used for optimization of multi-kilogram syntheses, leading to commercialization.
Organic chemists thrive in a highly interdisciplinary and team environment.
Understanding the function and interactions of complicated molecules is accomplished by physical organic chemists. From measuring reaction rates to calculating excited states, important mechanistic information is vital to the design of improved imaging chemistry. Large molecules are studied by computational science, molecular modeling and x-ray diffraction to understand how their structure can effect their performance. Color print and Color slide films require the design of dyes to spectrally sensitize silver halide, image forming couplers, stabilizers for improved image stability, organic reducing agents, organic oxidizing agents, ultraviolet filter dyes which remain in the film or paper, filter dyes that are removed during processing and accelerators and inhibitors of silver development. In addition to these materials color negative film requires color masking image formers, and image modifying chemistry.