A versatile and cost-effective approach to automated laboratory organic synthesis

The application of a commercial laboratory automated synthesis system, the Anachem SK233 Workstation, is described for use in organic synthesis. A nov el reactor design feature has been developed to enable the sampling of reac tions under ambient to reflux temperatures while maintaining an effective i nert atmosphere. Up to 10 reactions can be run simultaneously on the reacto r block supplied. Examples are reported of multiple parallel reactions cove ring a range of chemistries encountered in synthesis encompassing heterogen eous and homogeneous reactions, air-sensitive and aggressive reagents, ambi ent to full reflux temperature, and full inert atmospheres with concomitant automated HPLC product analysis. The equipment and modifications described are of moderate cost, are robust in use, are of acceptable size for modern chemistry laboratories, and are readily acceptable to practising chemists.