Dr. Sean P. Bew is Associate Professor in Chemistry at the University of East Anglia, UK, where he specializes in medicinal chemistry, isotope labelling, aziridine chemistry and supramolecular natural products. He gave us a few moments to comment on his Biotage® Selekt Enkel flash purification system.
What made you choose Biotage as your supplier?
I chose Biotage Enkel for my flash purification needs because my experience with Biotage in general is that they make reliable instruments for chemistry laboratories. I have used Biotage flash systems going back to the SP4 instrument, and the Initiator microwave system is still a popular instrument in my lab.
Why do you need this product in your lab?
Essentially, Selekt Enkel saves me time and reduces solvent cost. It’s a standard piece of kit in industry and it’s important that the students at the University of East Anglia have access to this type of system throughout their studies, so they are better prepared when they begin roles within chemistry companies. The Enkel is also faster than other flash systems I have seen, and I can get my compounds more reliably. At the end of the day, it lets me get more done in the lab.
How does Selekt Enkel add value?
The Enkel is really easy to use for everybody in my lab. The interface is simple, and the system is in general well set up to have numerous users in an open access environment.
Having a system that can do normal phase and reverse phase purifications leaves me confident that I will be able to have my compound with the purity I need. The TLC to gradient function is a great way to set up a method and I can set the dual wavelengths to the same as my TLC lamp so I can be confident that the system is collecting the compound I want. The small footprint is fantastic as space in my lab is at a premium.
Is there anything you would like to see improved?
Solvent containment included as standard, metal racks from SP4 were more satisfying to click into place. But overall, the system is pretty much exactly what I need.
I’d love to have increased connectivity between systems. It would be fantastic if the Enkel could talk to my Initiator or with a V10 touch evaporator to remove solvent.
How does Selekt Enkel compare to similar products on the market?
Biotage has an advantage for me because they offer the whole solution, from synthesis through purification to evaporation. The Enkel and the Selekt range in general are the most user friendly and modern flash systems available, so they suit an environment with lots of user perfectly.
The School of Chemistry at UEA
The School has well-funded research groups active in all the main areas of chemistry, and is at the forefront of interdisciplinary research, including biophysical and biological, energy materials, catalysis and computational chemistry.
The research interests are broad and have in common the development and application of synthetic organic chemistry for the formation of new and unusual chemical entities.
Literature Number: PPS673
