Overview
The Discover microwave synthesis reactor provides an economical, robust platform for heating sealed pressure vessels with the power of microwave energy. Access temperatures and pressures up to 300 °C and 300 psi for the highest purity synthetic results. Start with a basic system and add on more capabilities as you need.
Features
- 10-mL sealed pressure vessels ideal for research chemistry and optional 80-mL vessels for scale up.
- Volume-independent, infrared temperature monitoring accurately measures temperature for reaction volumes from 0.2 to 60 mL with only two vessel sizes
- Safety based pressure management technology automatically relieves excess pressure to prevent vial failures.
- Variable speed magnetic stirring and rapid compressed air cooling
- Upgrade options: gaseous reagent addition, sub-ambient temperature control, camera reaction monitoring, 80 mL reaction vessel, continuous flow chemistry, Intellivent pressure device and open vessel option.
Microwave Advantage
The Absolute Best Approach for Chemical Synthesis
Microwave synthesis provides unique heating benefits for synthetic chemistry.123 Reactions are heated volumetrically, directly, and instantaneously, faster and more efficiently than any other form of heating. These microwave characteristics give organic chemists better product yield and more control over reaction conditions for precise results in materials and inorganic chemistry. Microwave energy is the industry standard for medicinal chemistry, nanomaterials synthesis, and academic teaching labs, owing to these clear advantages.
Conductive Heating
Conventional Method
With hot plates, oil baths, and heating mantles, energy is transferred indirectly to the reactants by applying heat to the outside surface of the vessel and solvent. This form of heating is slower and inefficient, achieving reduced synthetic results.
Microwave Heating
The Discover 2.0 Method
The vessel wall is transparent to microwaves allowing energy to be directly absorbed by the reactants. This direct molecular activation limits side reactions and provides a fast and efficient form of heating. Reactions that previously took hours, or even days, to complete can be performed in minutes.
1Dudley, G. B.; Richert, R.; Stiegman, A. E. Chem. Sci. 2015, 6, 2144-2152.
2Chen, P.-K.; Rosana, M. R.; Dudley, G. B.; Stiegman, A. E. J. Org. Chem. 2014, 79, 7425-7436.
3Hunt, J.; Ferrari, A.; Lita, A.; Crosswhite, M.; Ashley, B.; Stiegman, A. E. J. Phys. Chem. C 2013, 51, 26871-26880
2Chen, P.-K.; Rosana, M. R.; Dudley, G. B.; Stiegman, A. E. J. Org. Chem. 2014, 79, 7425-7436.
3Hunt, J.; Ferrari, A.; Lita, A.; Crosswhite, M.; Ashley, B.; Stiegman, A. E. J. Phys. Chem. C 2013, 51, 26871-26880
Enlarge Graph
Speed
Run Sealed Tube Reactions Much Faster than Conventionally Heated Systems.
Microwaves Safely Heat Much Faster- Microwaves directly heat the sample
- Conventional heating must be used more conservatively
Because when applying convective heating, the heating process will continue even when power is already reduced, it appeared advantageous to regulate the power more conservatively to prevent any significant thermal overshoots, especially when exothermic reactions are processed. This invariably leads to the comparatively slow heating ramps.1
Reduced Cooling Time
- The Discover’s compressed air system cools much faster than integrated fans2
- Typically < 1 minute for compressed air vs. up to 5 minute for integrated fans
1 Obermayer et al, J. Org. Chem. 2016, 81, 11788-11801
2 Typically used in conventional heating systems with sealed tubes
Floor Mounted Temperature Control System
Save Money — Use Less Reagents.
Run reactions as low as 0.2 mL (10x lower than conventional heating systems). This is based on both the Discover’s unique bottom mounted temperature control system and the ability of microwave energy to be turned OFF instantly thereby avoiding excessive temperature overshoot off small sample volumes.
Limited
IR sensor from side
(Higher Volume Required)
Ideal
IR sensor from below
(Lower Volume Required)Accuracy and Precision
No Temperature Overshoot.
Microwaves Turn OFF InstantaneouslyMicrowave energy can be turned OFF instantaneously. In contrast, conventional heating can’t as the vessel continues to be heated for a period of time after the heat source is turned OFF. This makes controlling temperature overshoot much more difficult with conventional heating.
Unique Active Cooling of Discover
The Discover also features an integrated cooling system that provides automated cooling during a run. This system further ensures desired run conditions by quickly eliminating any overshooting of the target temperature.
Conventional Heating
Microwave Heating
Safety
Fewer Broken Vessels.
The pressure control on the Discover provides venting of excess pressure during the run as it happens. This reduces the chance of vessels breaking inside the system.Other systems vent excess pressure at the end of a run which is often too late. Conventionally heated systems also are more at risk of vessel ruptures from exothermic reactions since the heating can’t be instantaneously turned OFF.
Features
Reliable and easy to operate.
The Discover microwave reactor provides an economical, robust system for heating sealed pressure vessels with the power of microwave energy. Access temperatures and pressures up to 300 °C and 300 psi for the highest purity synthetic results. Start with a basic system and add on more capabilities as you need.
1
Benchmate Pressure Management
Safety based technology seals reaction vessels up to 300 psi and automatically relieves excess pressure to prevent vial failures. Optional upgrades include IntelliVent pressure measurement/monitoring capabilities and atmospheric pressure applications in conventional round bottom flasks.2
Volume-Independent Temperature Sensor
The floor mounted, infrared temperature sensor enables Discover to accurately measure temperature for reaction volumes from 0.2 to 60 mL.3
High Temperature/ Pressure Sealed Vessels
10-mL vessels for research and optional 80-mL vessels for scale up.4
Self-Tuning, Efficient Microwave Cavity
Take the guesswork out of microwave chemistry. The Discover cavity automatically adjusts power output based on the polar and ionic properties of your reaction solution.5
Compressed Air Reaction Quenching
Rapid cooling upon reaction completion allows safe handling in less than a minute. Superior performance to fan-based systems.6
Electromagnetic Stirring
Homogenize your reaction mixture for the best synthetic results and consistency. Fully adjustable.Software
Synergy Data Analysis Software
Programming microwave methods and recording data with Synergy software is fast, simple, and flexible. Users have access to individual, password protected logins to review reaction parameters and run details including temperature, pressure, and power. Analyze graphs in Synergy or quickly export this data to a spreadsheet for incorporation into presentations, papers, and laboratory notebooks.
Specialized Reaction Programming
Synergy software provides the most convenient way to access the unique power control modes of the Discover. Routine synthetic chemistry can be performed with Standard methods while 4 additional control algorithms allow scientists to explore the limits of microwave heating.Enlarge
Accessible Reaction Data
Record temperature, pressure, and power data for your reactions and store everything in Synergy for fast and organized retrieval. Information can be directly exported into a spreadsheet or data visualization program for reports and publication using the convenient laptop interface.Enlarge
Protected Electronic Notebook
All reaction data is saved to Synergy’s database and cannot be deleted. Add notebook numbers, chemical structures and reaction schemes, and other sample identifiers and notes without concern for data integrity.Enlarge
Upgrades & Accessories
IntelliVent Pressure Option
Upgrade your Discover microwave synthesis reactor to the most comprehensive feedback about your reaction system with the IntelliVent pressure measurement option. Safely control and record reaction pressure from 0 – 300 psi, with the same automated vent-and-reseal technology of the Benchmate pressure device.