Enabling Technologies for the Future of Chemical Synthesis

Abstract

Technology is evolving at breakneck pace, changing the way we communicate, travel, find out information, and live our lives. Yet chemistry as a science has been slower to adapt to this rapidly shifting world. In this Outlook we use highlights from recent literature reports to describe how progresses in enabling technologies are altering this trend, permitting chemists to incorporate new advances into their work at all levels of the chemistry development cycle. We discuss the benefits and challenges that have arisen, impacts on academic-industry relationships, and future trends in the area of chemical synthesis.

Figure 1

New developments in small, low-cost computing devices such as the Raspberry Pi (pictured) are driving advances in reaction control strategies.

Figure 2

Flow chemistry techniques allow for the production and translocation of unstabilized diazo compounds from hydrazones. Reproduced from ref (31). Copyright 2015 Royal Society of Chemistry.

Figure 3

Molecules with unusual backbone structures could be formed by the iterative reaction of diazo species with boronic acids. Modified from ref (34).

Figure 4

Equipment schematic for the flow production of α-dibromoketones, a reaction that was not effective in batch.

Figure 5

Fast flow reactions can only occur in flow-mode and are capable of working with a variety of functional groups. Reproduced from ref (36) with permission. Copyright 2013 The Royal Society of Chemistry.

Figure 6

A fully telescoped, eight-step system was able to be managed by a single researcher through machine assistance and the use of low-cost computing devices.

Figure 7

A simple equipment configuration enabled the production of 20 000 tamoxifen doses per day. Reproduced from (43). Copyright 2013 American Chemical Society.

Figure 8

(a) The equipment layout used for the Appel reaction optimization; (b) the Appel reaction carried out; (c) the five parameters optimized by the control system. Partial reproduction from ref (46).

Figure 9

A three-step process was developed that enabled the rapid production of ibuprofen from a unit of very small size. Reproduced from ref (60) with permission. Copyright 2015 John Wiley and Sons.