3Dimensional Reactions: A new Approach to Chemical Catalysis using 3D Printed Devices

Chemical reactions to produce active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) are carried out on scales ranging from milligram amounts in drug discovery laboratories through to large kiloton reactors in process laboratories. In both cases, reactions are mixed via internal magnetic follower or via larger externally controlled reactor paddles. In a new approach, the Hilton group has developed novel patented 3D Printed devices that can be used to efficiently mix reactions and which contain impregnated catalysts to both mix and catalyse chemical reactions at the same time, making the entire process simpler to carry out. The devices are produced using 3D printing in the Hilton laboratory and the catalyst is impregnated in the device at the point of printing.These devices are used to speed up the drug discovery process, guiding synthesis from discovery through to process laboratories. This new and exciting project will involve exploring the scope of these devices to catalyse a range of reactions and
the development of new devices and applications. The project will explore the scope of catalysts that can be incorporated and their potential to catalyse a range of chemical reactions.

Main Methods and Techniques to be employed:
The project focuses on synthetic chemistry alligned with 3D printing in a novel and fast growing area. The project will involve chemical synthesis and the design and development of novel 3D printed devices. Techniques used will include chemical synthesis, catalysis, 3D Design, 3D printing and automatic purification. The student employed in the project will also be encouraged to publish as widely as possible in this novel area.