Further development of a versatile microscale automated workstation for parallel adaptive experimentation

Abstract

We have further developed our microscale automated chemistry workstation for investigating the optimization of reaction conditions. The workstation includes a Cartesian robot for solvent delivery and reagent/sample handling, a 60-vessel reaction block, a UV–Vis absorption spectrometer, and vial racks for compound storage. This article describes the following hardware additions that increase the scope and versatility of the workstation: (a) an analytical high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) instrument and accompanying hardware interface (slide rail, autosampler); (b) three reactor blocks of 20 vessels each, with independent temperature control of each reactor block between ca. 0 and 80°C; (c) a shaker rack for mixing, dilution, or extraction of samples; (d) a rotary valve on the dispense line for complete isolation of 4 independent solvent lines; (e) sample workup features using disposable cartridges or filters; (f) provisions for dispensing inert gas, for example, for flushing through reactors or for storing solvents and performing transfer/dispense operations under. Using the new features, we are able to obtain useful analytical data from a wider range of reaction mixtures, perform parallel reactions at different temperatures, and handle solvents and sensitive reagents. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Lab Robotics and Automation 11: 217–223, 1999