Automated platforms for reaction self-optimization in flow

Abstract

Automation is a reality in everyday life, including in the chemical synthesis environment. It relegates time-consuming and repetitive tasks to machines, saving time for other activities that provide more value to scientists. The development of intelligent feedback controls applying novel algorithms with real-time reaction analysis and their combination with automation bring new opportunities for discovery, process optimization and work-up processes, that until now have been conducted using traditional manual procedures. Furthermore, the current trend is to increase the autonomy of automated platforms that can guide the optimization process with minimal human intervention (self-optimization). This article highlights recent progress in continuous flow self-optimizing platforms. Monitoring techniques, intelligent algorithms, as well as the autonomous platforms utilized are discussed.