Assessing the possibilities of designing a unified multistep continuous flow synthesis platform

TitleAssessing the possibilities of designing a unified multistep continuous flow synthesis platform
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2018
AuthorsSharma, MK, Acharya, RB, Shukla, CA, Kulkarni, AA
JournalBeilstein Journal of Organic Chemistry
Volume14
Pagination1917-1936
Date PublishedJUL
ISSN1860-5397
Keywordsautomation, continuous flow synthesis, cybernetics, multistep flow synthesis, unified platforms
Abstract

The multistep flow synthesis of complex molecules has gained momentum over the last few years. A wide range of reaction types and conditions have been integrated seamlessly on a single platform including in-line separation as well as monitoring. Beyond merely getting considered as `flow version' of conventional `one-pot synthesis', multistep flow synthesis has become the next generation tool for creating libraries of new molecules. Here we give a more `engineering' look at the possibility of developing a `unified multistep flow synthesis platform'. A detailed analysis of various scenarios is presented considering 4 different classes of drugs already reported in the literature. The possible complexities that an automated and controlled platform needs to handle are also discussed in detail. Three different design approaches are proposed: (i) one molecule at a time, (ii) many molecules at a time and (iii) cybernetic approach. Each approach would lead to the effortless integration of different synthesis stages and also at different synthesis scales. While one may expect such a platform to operate like a `driverless car' or a `robo chemist' or a `transformer', in reality, such an envisaged system would be much more complex than these examples.

DOI10.3762/bjoc.14.166
Type of Journal (Indian or Foreign)Foreign
Impact Factor (IF)2.337
Divison category: 
Chemical Engineering & Process Development

Add new comment