Chemical Synthesis Reactors

Automation for Every Chemist

Chemical reactors reinvent the way scientists work, enabling the generation of more information per experiment and accelerating the delivery of life-changing products. Automated chemical synthesis reactors are well established in the chemical and pharmaceutical industry, and they are essential to speed up time-to-market cycles at lower R&D costs.

The innovative chemical synthesis reactors EasyMax™ and OptiMax™ are easy-to-use platforms that accurately execute recipes and precisely control reaction parameters, thus enabling highly reproducible reactions. Experiment procedures can be run unattended around the clock, and all data is automatically recorded, and ready to be instantly shared.

Chemical Synthesis Reactors with Built-in Automation Tools

EasyMax 102

Basic, Advanced, and LowTemp Models

The ideal parallel synthesis workstation to replace the round-bottom flask in the lab. Læs mere

EasyMax 402

Basic and Advanced Models

Automated parallel synthesis workstation with larger reaction vessels. Læs mere

OptiMax 1001

Pilot Scale Safety Applications

Simplify organic chemistry and eliminate dangerous handling of oil and ice baths. Læs mere

Repeatable Chemistry around the Clock

Based on our partnerships with leading scientists, we understand the challenges faced in chemical labs. Our chemical reactors are designed to minimize bottlenecks and maximize efficiency.

More than ever, scientists are looking to automate tedious and manual chemical synthesis procedures. Automation of reaction conditions, experiment controls, and data collection increases personal productivity while ensuring safe operations day and night.

Chemistries at Subambient Temperature

EasyMax™ chemical synthesis reactors in LowTemp (LT) reactor models expand the temperature design space down to -90°C. This helps you both design reactions including organometallic metalation and lithiation reactions and optimize processes at subambient conditions, paving the way for the discovery of new synthetic pathways.

Unlike traditional equipment with discrete temperatures at 0°C, -21°C (sodium chloride in ice), and -78°C (acetone/dry ice), our low temp reactors precisely control experimental conditions along a broad temperature range – even when unattended.

Synthesis Reactors to Fit Your Chemistry

Discover breakthrough molecules and explore novel synthetic steps. With a broad application range, automated chemical reactors pose no limits on your creativity and productivity in the chemical synthesis laboratory. Reactor volumes range from 8ml tubes to 1L vessels, and one- or two-piece reactors fit your chemistry and workflow.

Chemical synthesis reactors operate at temperatures from -90°C to 180°C and offer overhead and magnetic stirring, as well as vacuum, ambient and high-pressure chemistry, making it easy and enjoyable to solve complex chemistry problems.

Ensure Safe, Robust, and Scalable Processes

OptiMax lab reactor systems are designed to ensure safe, robust, and scalable processes. Researchers can characterize and optimize chemical reactions on the liter scale before going to manufacturing. OptiMax™ chemical reactors are applied for go/no-go safety considerations when scaling up by identifying enthalpy, heat capacity, heat, and mass transfer under process-like conditions. The synthesis reactors are widely applied when engineering particles by (re)crystallization with particle size analyzers.

Sustain a Culture of Safety with Chemical Reactors

Solutions that enable a culture of safety must fulfill the needs of every scientist, minimize all risks to ensure maximum personal safety, enable the development of process conditions that match large-scale operations, and assess hazards to predict the risks of a process.

We developed EasyMax™, a chemical reactor that helps maximize personal safety in the laboratory by controlling preprogrammed reactions safely and automatically to limit or eliminate chemical exposure.

Reduce exposure risk and design inherently processes that are inherently safer.

Chemical Synthesis Reactor Testimonials

Luc Moens, Chemical Process and R&D

Johnson & Johnson, Belgium

"With the EasyMax, we get more successful experiments done and develop better processes."

Dr. Gerry Budz, Chemical Development

Novartis Pharma, USA

"The EasyMax touchpad and vessel setup is easy and state-of-the-art. I can plan reactions ahead so I can focus on my chemistry rather than working on equipment issues…"

Dr. Marty Guinn, Chemical Development

Pfizer Pharma, USA

"We have distributed EasyMax units to individual users and established walk-up EasyMax workstations and they are used in both early- and late-stage development."

Dr. Anthony M. DiJulio

Novartis Pharma, USA

"The EasyMax system is simple, reliable and is the workhorse in our lab. Our enjoyment of this product extends beyond the equipment itself …"

Innovation Starts with Understanding

Every scientist needs to gain information to answer critical questions when innovating molecules, optimizing reaction routes, and creating robust and safe processes. METTLER TOLEDO chemical synthesis reactors integrate seamlessly with in-situ probes, including the EasySampler automated sampling system, ReactIR FTIR spectrometers, and particle size analyzers. The consolidated data stream of reaction parameters together with information on kinetics, reaction mechanisms, impurity profiles, and particle attributes provides critical answers when adapting lab processes to the plant. The integrated solution enables scientists to deliver life-changing products faster and more cost-efficiently.

Chemical Synthesis Reactor FAQs

What is a chemical synthesis reactor?

Chemical synthesis reactors are vessels in which chemical reactions take place. Reaction parameters, such as temperature, dosing, stirring, and sampling, are set to perform a synthesis reaction. The accuracy and precision of those reaction parameters play an important role in the selectivity, conversion, and reproducibility of the chemical reaction.

What are the types of chemical synthesis reactors?

There are three types of chemical reactors:

Batch reactors
Continuous stirred-tank reactors (CSTR)
Plug flow reactors (PFR)

Batch reactors are stirred tank reactors where the chemical reaction occurs in a confined space over a period of time.

Continuous stirred-tank reactors, or semi-batch reactors, have reactants continuously added and (by)products are removed.

Plug-flow reactors are usually tubular reactors, where the conversion of chemical reactions is influenced by residential time.

What are the challenges with traditional synthesis reactor equipment?

The preparation of manual lab equipment tends to be cumbersome and slow while putting the scientist at risk of exposure. Traditional setups also tend to be poorly controlled when it comes to limiting the reaction parameter range, including T, p, pH, and sampling, which risks inconsistent and non-reproducible results. Information gaps limit understanding if data is not recorded or documentation is lost.

How can I automate my lab reactor?

METTLER TOLEDO automated chemical synthesis reactor systems are designed for quick start-up, easy handling, precise control, intrinsic safety, and integrated analysis and reporting. Recipe are initiated from the preconfigured home screen touchscreen. No ice or oil baths are required, despite the availability of a variety of volumes and application ranges. Precise 24/7 control of all reaction parameters assures better data quality and complete data sets, while active cooling allows fast temperature control and avoids unexpected side products. Easy data export ensures easy visualization and traceability of results.

Additionally, the RX-10 reactor control system can connect to your existing jacketed lab reactor to automate cumbersome tasks for those that do not need full workstation setups. This reactor control system uses the same touchscreen interface as the full workstations for seamless workflows.

Do METTLER TOLEDO chemical synthesis reactors support Design of Experiment (DoE)?

Because our chemical synthesis reactors are designed to minimize bottlenecks and maximize the efficiency of the chemical laboratory, our models easily enable Design of Experiment (DoE) studies to produce high-quality experimental data. You can use METTLER TOLEDO reactors to optimize reaction and process parameters and explore how various combinations of settings such as temperature, pH, dosing, and stirring affect outcomes.

What is the difference between Basic and Advanced models?

EasyMax Advanced offers more features than its Basic counterpart. The Advanced personal synthesis workstation offers a more comprehensive information management platform, including graph trends and task sequences on the touchscreen and full data capture/experiment documentation. You can also easily integrate and add the capabilities of:

iC Data Center™ software, to share data and build institutional knowledge
iControl™ software for planning, advanced control, and data evaluation
Heat flow calorimetry for process safety screening to identify, eliminate, and correct non-scalable reaction conditions

See all Basic and Advanced models:

Can I connect my reactor to third party accessories?

Yes! Extend your reactor for automated control and data capture of 3rd party devices including sensors and dosing/sampling solutions with the Easy Control Box (ECB) accessory, purchased separately.

ECB provides dosing control capabilities and easily connects commercially available pumps and balances for automated pre-programmed gravimetric or volumetric dosing. The accessory has plug-and-measure functionality with SmartConnect technology sensors. Control elements are automatically recognized, making reactor configuration simple and easy.

Learn more about Easy Control Box (ECB).

Synthesis Reaction Resources

Automated Chemical Synthesis Reactors in Journal Publications

Below is a selection of publications about chemical synthesis reactors.

Peplow, M. – "Automation for the people: Training a new generation of chemists in data-driven synthesis", C&EN, October 27, 2019, Vol. 97, Issue 42
Yang., et al. "Evaluation of Potential Safety Hazards Associated with the Suzuki−Miyaura Cross-Coupling of Aryl Bromides with Vinylboron Species." Org. Process Res. Dev. 2018, 22, 351−359
Buetti-Weekly, Michele T., et al. "Development of a safe and scalable process for the preparation of allyl glyoxalate." Organic Process Research & Development 22.1, 2018: 82-90.
Thomas, et al. "Scalable and Selective Preparation of 3, 3′, 5, 5′-Tetramethyl-2, 2′-biphenol." Organic Process Research & Development 21.1, 2017: 79-84.
Charles D. Papageorgiou et al. "Development and Scale-up of an Efficient Miyaura Borylation Process Using Tetrahydroxydiboron" Organic Process Research & Development 22.1, 2017, 65-74
Kinetics of a C-H Activation Reaction, Sampling Air-Sensitive Reactions, METTLER TOLEDO Application Note based on studies by Brian Vanderplas and David Place, Pfizer
Hwang R., Noack R. M. − International Journal of Experimental Design and Process Optimisation, 2011, Vol.2, No.1, pp. 58 − 65
Guidance for Industry, Q8 (R2) Pharmaceutical Development, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Food and Drug Administration, November 2009, Revision 2
Mills J. E. – Chemical Process Research, ACS Symposium Series, 2003, Chapter 6, pp 87 – 109
Owen et al. − Organic Process Research & Development, 2001, 5, pp. 308 − 323

Søgeforslag

Chemical Synthesis Reactors

Automation for Every Chemist

Chemical Synthesis Reactors with Built-in Automation Tools

EasyMax 102

Basic, Advanced, and LowTemp Models

EasyMax 402

Basic and Advanced Models

OptiMax 1001

Pilot Scale Safety Applications

chemical reactor automation

Repeatable Chemistry around the Clock

chemical reactor automation

Chemistries at Subambient Temperature

Synthesis Reactors to Fit Your Chemistry

Ensure Safe, Robust, and Scalable Processes

Sustain a Culture of Safety with Chemical Reactors

Chemical Synthesis Reactor Testimonials

Luc Moens, Chemical Process and R&D

Johnson & Johnson, Belgium

Dr. Gerry Budz, Chemical Development

Novartis Pharma, USA

Dr. Marty Guinn, Chemical Development

Pfizer Pharma, USA

Dr. Anthony M. DiJulio

Novartis Pharma, USA

Innovation Starts with Understanding

Chemical Synthesis Reactor FAQs

What is a chemical synthesis reactor?

What are the types of chemical synthesis reactors?

What are the challenges with traditional synthesis reactor equipment?

How can I automate my lab reactor?

Do METTLER TOLEDO chemical synthesis reactors support Design of Experiment (DoE)?

doe design of experiments

What is the difference between Basic and Advanced models?

Can I connect my reactor to third party accessories?

Synthesis Reaction Resources

Automated Chemical Synthesis Reactors in Journal Publications

Søgeforslag

Chemical Synthesis Reactors

Automation for Every Chemist

Chemical Synthesis Reactors with Built-in Automation Tools

EasyMax 102

Basic, Advanced, and LowTemp Models

EasyMax 402

Basic and Advanced Models

OptiMax 1001

Pilot Scale Safety Applications

chemical reactor automation

Repeatable Chemistry around the Clock

chemical reactor automation

Chemistries at Subambient Temperature​

Synthesis Reactors to Fit Your Chemistry

Ensure Safe, Robust, and Scalable Processes

Sustain a Culture of Safety with Chemical Reactors

Chemical Synthesis Reactor Testimonials

Luc Moens, Chemical Process and R&D

Johnson & Johnson, Belgium

Dr. Gerry Budz, Chemical Development

Novartis Pharma, USA

Dr. Marty Guinn, Chemical Development

Pfizer Pharma, USA

Dr. Anthony M. DiJulio

Novartis Pharma, USA

Innovation Starts with Understanding

Chemical Synthesis Reactor FAQs

What is a chemical synthesis reactor?

What are the types of chemical synthesis reactors?

What are the challenges with traditional synthesis reactor equipment?

How can I automate my lab reactor?

Do METTLER TOLEDO chemical synthesis reactors support Design of Experiment (DoE)?

doe design of experiments

What is the difference between Basic and Advanced models?

Can I connect my reactor to third party accessories?

Synthesis Reaction Resources

Automated Chemical Synthesis Reactors in Journal Publications​

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Chemistries at Subambient Temperature

Automated Chemical Synthesis Reactors in Journal Publications