Machine Assisted Organic Synthesis

Abstract

For this new review we describe how the advent of machines is impacting on organic synthesis programs with particular emphasis on the practical issues associated with chemical reactor design. In the rapidly changing, multi-variant environment of the research laboratory, equipment needs to be modular to accommodate high and low temperatures and pressures, enzymes, multiphase systems, slurries, gases and organometallics. Additional technologies have been developed to facilitate more specialized reaction techniques such as electrochemical and photochemical methods. All of these areas create both opportunities and challenges during adoption as enabling technologies.