Asia flow chemistry ideal for biocatalytic applications

The Department of Organic Chemistry at the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro department is dedicated to teaching and research into organic chemistry, and wanted a continuous flow system to perform biocatalytic reactions.

The group required a flow chemistry system that would enable researchers to load catalysts onto a packed bed easily.

Professor Dr Rodrigo Souza, Associate Professor in Organic Chemistry, said: “We purchased the Asia system a year ago, and found it easy to implement in our laboratory.

“It is a very user-friendly system, and the wide range of flow rates offered by the Asia Pump is a big advantage. We also have the capability to load the solid phase column reactors with our own catalysts, which is another great benefit.

“The system is running seven days a week, and is so popular that people are queuing up to use it. The Asia system helped us to become the first group at the University – and in Brazil – to develop biocatalysed continuous flow reactions, and we now plan to buy another similar system to help meet the needs of our laboratory.”

Asia Flow specifications:

• Reactor temperature: -15°C to 250°C
• Liquid phase reactor volumes: 62.5μl, 250μl, 1ml, 4ml, 16ml
• Solid phase reactor volumes: 0.7ml, 2.4ml, 5.6ml, 12ml
• Pressure: 0 - 20bar (300psi)
• Flow rate: 1μl/min - 10ml/min per pump
• Residence times: 1 second to multi hour
• Wetted materials: Glass, PTFE and PCTFE (stainless steel and hastelloy possible)
• Mixing: Rapid diffusional mixing
• Production volumes: micrograms to kilograms
• Automatic leak detection: Asia can check itself for leaks before running