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.