Product category:
General lab equipment
News Release from: Syrris | Subject: Africa
Edited by the Laboratorytalk Editorial
Team on 16 June 2004
Go with the flow for faster optimisation
Microreactor to accelerate compound discovery and process development combines both reaction optimisation and synthesis using micro-scale flow technology
Syrris's new Africa microreactor offers R and D chemists a means of dramatically reducing time they spend on reaction optimisation and compound synthesis The new micro-scale flow technology was created in partnership with scientists at GlaxoSmithKline (GSK)
This article was originally published on Laboratorytalk on 25 Nov 2004 at 8.00am (UK)
Related stories
Flow chemistry goes mainstream
Syrris has signed an agreement and supplied one of its new Africa microreactor systems to Professor Steven Ley at the department of chemistry at the University of Cambridge
Fast reactions when under pressure
Module allows chemical reactions to take place at elevated pressure, so that they can run at much higher temperature without the solvent boiling
Africa (automated flow reaction incubation and control apparatus) is a cost-effective and easy-to-use system that performs both reaction optimisation and synthesis.
By combining both steps in one system, Africa can dramatically reduce the time to create new compounds with immediate applications in both discovery and process development.
At the heart of the Africa microreactor is the reactor chip.
Further reading
The Flow Factory: more reactions, more easily
New module extends utility of Africa microreactor system by allowing the use of heterogeneous catalysts, solid supported reagents and scavengers in a flow environment
Extraction module extends microreactor usability
The Flow Liquid-Liquid Extraction module (Fllex) for compound purification extends Africa microreactor functionality
Reactions occur under laminar flow conditions, giving excellent control and reproducibility.
Africa's modular pump and reaction heating and cooling systems allow multiple reaction conditions such as time, temperature and stoichiometry, to be run and analysed automatically - even overnight.
The analysis then predicts the next set of experiments allowing rapid iterative optimisation to be performed.
"Traditionally, discovery and development chemistry is performed in a series of step-by-step batch reactions, with the result that reactions can take days to optimise." explained Syrris's managing director, Mark Gilligan.
"In Africa, reactions take place in flow, so a sequence of reactions can run through the system one after the other, like trains down an express rail track.
"Analysis takes place immediately by diverting a small quantity of the reaction product to an HPLC system.
"Producing more of any desired compound simply means a longer 'train' - or alternatively the reaction can be transferred back to batch for library production on existing automated synthesisers.
"It's that flexible".
Africa is already in use at GSK (Harlow, UK).
Brian Warrington, VP technology development - chemistry says "GSK has been using Africa intensively for more than a year now, as a commercial implementation of part of our own drug discovery technology development.
It's very productive for us, and we have gained a lot of insight into our chemistry, which will enable greater use of flow reactors in R and D".
Reactions occur under inert conditions in a sealed flow system, which allows operation at up to 30 bar pressure.
This high-pressure capability can be used to superheat solvents and increase reaction speed.
Africa is a modular system and can be upgraded at any time. Request a free brochure from Syrris ...
• Syrris: contact details and other news
• Email this article to a colleague
• Register for the free Laboratorytalk email newsletter
• Laboratorytalk Home Page
Search the Pro-Talk network of sites
