Programmable microwaveable chemistry in the Chemputer
A new paper from the Cronin group reports the integration of programmable microwave modules into the Chemputer platform to enable automated microwave driven syntheses under the control of the Chemical Description Language χDL. The system combines two complementary microwave sources, a coaxial antenna delivering up to 450 W and a pressurised flow cell cavity with in situ infrared temperature sensing, to support a range of reaction conditions. Over 680 χDL steps capture the automated execution of six representative reactions, including O alkylations, Suzuki–Miyaura cross couplings, ring closing metathesis, and solid phase peptide synthesis across volumes from 10 mL to 250 mL. This work extends the Chemputer’s capabilities to include safe and scalable microwave assisted processes, providing a foundation for broader adoption of automated programmable chemistry.
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