Organic Synthesis

Microwave Synthesis

Chemical reactions proceed more quickly when you heat them. The Arrhenius equation states that for every ten degrees increase in temperature, there is a doubling of the reaction rate. Hence the use of oil baths, heating mantles and reflux condensers in any laboratory involved in chemical synthesis. But in these instances, you are always limited by the boiling point of the solvent you are using, achieving the temperature you need can be slow, and it is difficult to control the temperature and the heating time accurately. Developing ways of improving chemical synthesis is of great benefit.

The Biotage approach – Microwave synthesis

In the Biotage approach to chemical synthesis, a microwave is employed to heat reactions. Microwave synthesisers have key advantages over traditional synthesis methods with conventional heating. They are extremely fast, as they can be used to super-heat reactions under pressure to higher than their boiling point, greatly accelerating reactions and achieving in minutes what otherwise might require hours. They are green in comparison to older technologies, as they reduce the power input needed compared to heating for many hours. And they are simple to use, giving precise control over a number of parameters such as heating time, temperature and power input.

Product groups

Biotage® Initiator+

Biotage® Initiator+ represents the latest in microwave synthesis performance. This reliable and upgradeable instrument’s high-end specifications enable the chemist to explore new areas and make great discoveries in less time.

Biotage® Initiator+ Microwave System with Robot Eight

Biotage® Initiator+ can be upgraded from a single-sample manual format to an automated 8-position system. The 8-position sample bed gives the user a compact automation solution to start scale-up process and library build-up, and is useful in a multi-user environment or for queuing multiple reactions. Flexible operation enables the use of both large and small vials in combination at any time and in any order without manual intervention.

Biotage® Initiator+ Microwave System with Robot Sixty

Biotage® Initiator+ can be upgraded from a single-sample manual format to an automated 60-position system. The modular design allows a user to add on different automated sample processors dependent on throughput requirements. The 60-position sample bed supports the production of focused libraries, multi-user environments and scale-out, and use of both large and small vials in any order without manual intervention.

Microwave Reaction Vials

Biotage high precision microwave vials are designed and tested to withstand pressures beyond 30 bar in a wide range of conditions to guarantee durable and safe reactions at all times.

Microwave synthesis in the teaching laboratory

In drug discovery, microwaves are common tools for heating reactions to high temperatures and pressures so that it is possible to synthesize compounds in minutes that might otherwise take hours by conventional heating. However, another environment where this is a considerable advantage is in the teaching laboratory. By greatly speeding reaction rates, students can try multi-step synthesis is a single day, and look at the effect of altering reaction conditions on products and yields.

Resources

Organic Chemistry - Products from Start to Finish

Organic chemists synthesizing new molecules follow a general workflow. Biotage has developed tools for every step of the process, with the entire workflow in mind. This dedicated suite of products vastly expands the range of options in order to truly accelerate discoveries
of new molecules for future innovations.

Other blocks in the workflow

Biotage, pioneers of flash chromatography, has an extensive range of instrumentation and flash consumables designed to make your chemistry more efficient, simpler and greener.

Flash Purification

Biotage evaporation offer is designed for faster evaporation of volatile and high-boiling solvents and sample transfer minimization. Utilizing rotation and vacuum technology, Biotage will automate your evaporation and make it faster, simpler, greener.

Evaporation

A complete set of tools to speed up traditional work flow processes and also enhance productivity and flexibility in the laboratory. Faster, Simpler, Greener.

Work-Up