Instrument for Performing Microwave-Assisted Reactions

摘要

An instrument for performing microwave-assisted reactions and an associated method are disclosed. The instrument typically includes (i) a microwave-radiation source, (ii) a cavity, (iii) a waveguide in microwave communication with the microwave-radiation source and the cavity, (iv) at least one reaction-vessel sensor for determining the number and/or type of reaction vessels positioned within the cavity, (v) an interface, and (vi) a computer controller. The computer controller is typically in communication with the interface, the microwave-radiation source, and the reaction-vessel sensor. The computer controller is typically capable of determining the output of the microwave-radiation source in response to the number and/or type of reaction vessels positioned within the cavity.

主权项

1. A method of performing microwave-assisted reactions, comprising:
positioning one or more microwave transparent reaction vessels and their contents within a cavity; the cavity being in microwave communication with a microwave-radiation source; the source being in communication with a computer controller; selecting a category of chemical reaction from a memory-stored plurality of predefined reaction methods on the computer controller; detecting the number and/or type of reaction vessels in the cavity using at least one reaction-vessel sensor in the cavity that is in communication with the computer controller; and irradiating the vessels and their contents with microwaves while controlling the microwave power with a computer controller in response to (i) the detected number and/or type of reaction vessels and (ii) the category of reaction method selected from the memory-stored plurality of methods.