Events

Tech-Enhanced Synthetic Organic Chemistry

The world of synthetic organic chemistry has made significant strides in discovering new medicines, materials, and fine chemicals. However, there is a major aspect that has been overlooked for years: the reactor itself. In this lecture, we will explore how flow chemistry, sometimes in combination with automation and robotics, can fundamentally transform the way synthetic organic chemistry is performed.

By harnessing the power of flow chemistry, chemists can unlock unique reactivity and selectivity, enabling them to push the boundaries of what is synthetically possible. Not only does flow chemistry make new synthetic routes achievable, it can fast-track them from the lab to large scale production.

In our research group, we develop automated, flow-based, and robotic chemical platforms that reduce manual labor, improve reproducibility, and accelerate reaction discovery. By integrating flow reactors with robotics, inline analytics, and algorithm-driven optimization, we are building robochemical systems capable of performing experiments autonomously and continuously learning from data. These technologies enable faster exploration of reaction space while minimizing human intervention.

Our research spans a broad range of methodological developments, including photocatalysis, fluorine chemistry, electrochemistry and bioconjugation chemistry, all empowered by advanced flow and robotic platforms. In this talk, we will showcase how the synergy between flow chemistry, automation, and robotic experimentation enables more efficient synthesis, faster discovery of new reactions, and more sustainable chemical processes.

Ultimately, this lecture aims to demonstrate how technological innovation can elevate synthetic organic chemistry to a new paradigm, inspiring chemists to adopt these tools and unlock new possibilities for reaction development and chemical manufacturing.

Read more about the Noel Research Group here