Enhancement of Library Synthesis Using Microwave Flow Technology

Performing reactions using flow techniques instead of conventional static batch reactors enables in-process reaction optimization and in-line processing (analysis or purification) of the products. One potential drawback with flow is a shorter exposure time of the reactants to the appropriate conditions in comparison with a standard batch reactor. For slow reactions the benefits of flow can be offset by low conversion and purification problems due to unreacted starting materials. Microwave irradiation dramatically accelerates chemical transformations; using microwave with flow combines the benefits of both techniques. Recent work reveals that reactions flowed through small diameter tubes (capillaries) during irradiation are much faster than those using larger diameter tubes. We believe this offers the potential for wide acceptance of flow microwave synthesis. This project seeks further advances by performing flow microwave using capillaries containing new supported reagents, catalysts and scavengers through which the reactions flow to allow sequential multi-step synthesis and purification. This could lead to the creation of an automated, multi-step chemical synthesis device capable of running multiple reactions simultaneously through parallel capillaries.