Pleasures of Process Development

A reflux in 12 molar HCl
Carefully watched for the frothing,
Painstakingly drained from the reactor,
To filter and dry that gross thing.

My bosses, I tried please believe me,
I’m doing my best as you insist,
I’m ashamed of the material I burned through,
I’m ashamed of the deadlines we missed.

But if you could just see the beauty,
These things I could never describe,
These pleasures of process perfection,
This is my one lucky prize.

refrain: Product isolation…

My apologies to Joy Division