Programmable Microwaveable Chemistry in the Chemputer

TL;DR

A new automated chemistry platform called the Chemputer uses microwave modules to safely and efficiently perform a variety of chemical reactions.

Contribution

The Chemputer introduces two microwave modules controlled by χDL, enabling scalable and precise automated microwave chemistry.

Findings

The platform successfully executed six compound syntheses using microwave-assisted reactions.

It supports a range of reaction volumes and times, demonstrating robustness and versatility.

The system enables standardized and programmable chemical workflows through χDL.

Abstract

The advancement of laboratory automation relies on both sophisticated control software and modular hardware capable of supporting diverse chemical processes. While microwave‐assisted synthesis offers significant benefits, its integration into automated platforms has been limited by challenges in standardization, scalability, and safety. Herein, we present an automated platform featuring two distinct microwave modules for temperature control, each offering complementary advantages. The first employs a coaxial antenna delivering up to 450 W at 2.45 GHz for flexible applications across various reactor scales. The second consists of a pressurized flow‐cell cavity with in‐situ infrared sensing for real‐time temperature monitoring. To validate the platform, a series of microwave‐assisted reactions were executed under the abstract control of the Chemical Description Language (χDL). Over 680 χDL base steps capture the synthesis of six compounds through O‐alkylations, Suzuki–Miyaura cross‐couplings, ring‐closing metathesis, and solid‐phase peptide synthesis. Reactions ranged from 2 to 20 h, with volumes from 10 to 250 mL, demonstrating the platform's robustness and versatility. This work extends the Chemputer's capabilities to include safe, scalable microwave‐driven synthesis, establishing a foundation for broader adoption of programmable, automated chemistry.

The Chemputer integrates complementary microwave modules under χDL control, enabling fully automated syntheses of O‐alkylation products, Suzuki–Miyaura cross‐couplings, ring‐closing metathesis, and peptide sequences via solid‐phase methods. This modular, programmable platform delivers flexible and scalable microwave‐assisted workflows, broadening access to diverse synthetic methodologies through precise hardware abstraction and standardized digital execution.

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