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Automated radial synthesis of organic molecules

Author

Listed:
  • Sourav Chatterjee

    (Max-Planck-Institute of Colloids and Interfaces)

  • Mara Guidi

    (Max-Planck-Institute of Colloids and Interfaces
    Institute of Chemistry and Biochemistry)

  • Peter H. Seeberger

    (Max-Planck-Institute of Colloids and Interfaces
    Institute of Chemistry and Biochemistry)

  • Kerry Gilmore

    (Max-Planck-Institute of Colloids and Interfaces)

Abstract

Automated synthesis platforms accelerate and simplify the preparation of molecules by removing the physical barriers to organic synthesis. This provides unrestricted access to biopolymers and small molecules via reproducible and directly comparable chemical processes. Current automated multistep syntheses rely on either iterative1–4 or linear processes5–9, and require compromises in terms of versatility and the use of equipment. Here we report an approach towards the automated synthesis of small molecules, based on a series of continuous flow modules that are radially arranged around a central switching station. Using this approach, concise volumes can be exposed to any reaction conditions required for a desired transformation. Sequential, non-simultaneous reactions can be combined to perform multistep processes, enabling the use of variable flow rates, reuse of reactors under different conditions, and the storage of intermediates. This fully automated instrument is capable of both linear and convergent syntheses and does not require manual reconfiguration between different processes. The capabilities of this approach are demonstrated by performing optimizations and multistep syntheses of targets, varying concentrations via inline dilutions, exploring several strategies for the multistep synthesis of the anticonvulsant drug rufinamide10, synthesizing eighteen compounds of two derivative libraries that are prepared using different reaction pathways and chemistries, and using the same reagents to perform metallaphotoredox carbon–nitrogen cross-couplings11 in a photochemical module—all without instrument reconfiguration.

Suggested Citation

  • Sourav Chatterjee & Mara Guidi & Peter H. Seeberger & Kerry Gilmore, 2020. "Automated radial synthesis of organic molecules," Nature, Nature, vol. 579(7799), pages 379-384, March.
  • Handle: RePEc:nat:nature:v:579:y:2020:i:7799:d:10.1038_s41586-020-2083-5
    DOI: 10.1038/s41586-020-2083-5
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    Cited by:

    1. Yingxue Sun & Yuanyi Zhao & Xinjian Xie & Hongjiao Li & Wenqian Feng, 2024. "Printed polymer platform empowering machine-assisted chemical synthesis in stacked droplets," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 1-14, December.
    2. Yingguo Li & Jialun He & Guilong Lu & Chensheng Wang & Mengmeng Fu & Juan Deng & Fu Yang & Danfeng Jiang & Xiao Chen & Ziyi Yu & Yan Liu & Chao Yu & Yong Cui, 2024. "De novo construction of amine-functionalized metal-organic cages as heterogenous catalysts for microflow catalysis," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 1-12, December.
    3. Yifan Xie & Shuo Feng & Linxiao Deng & Aoran Cai & Liyu Gan & Zifan Jiang & Peng Yang & Guilin Ye & Zaiqing Liu & Li Wen & Qing Zhu & Wanjun Zhang & Zhanpeng Zhang & Jiahe Li & Zeyu Feng & Chutian Zha, 2023. "Inverse design of chiral functional films by a robotic AI-guided system," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-13, December.
    4. Artem I. Leonov & Alexander J. S. Hammer & Slawomir Lach & S. Hessam M. Mehr & Dario Caramelli & Davide Angelone & Aamir Khan & Steven O’Sullivan & Matthew Craven & Liam Wilbraham & Leroy Cronin, 2024. "An integrated self-optimizing programmable chemical synthesis and reaction engine," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 1-10, December.
    5. Jiaru Bai & Sebastian Mosbach & Connor J. Taylor & Dogancan Karan & Kok Foong Lee & Simon D. Rihm & Jethro Akroyd & Alexei A. Lapkin & Markus Kraft, 2024. "A dynamic knowledge graph approach to distributed self-driving laboratories," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 1-14, December.

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