Synthetic Chemistry

Modern, high-end synthetic chemistry, to fast-track your drug-discovery project

Our chemistry team will use their extensive experience to design and execute synthetic routes for you, and to do this they draw upon our wide range of traditional and modern, cutting-edge synthetic expertise and methodologies. You can access Domainex’s synthetic chemistry services either as part of an integrated medicinal chemistry programme, or as a stand-alone service to make the specific biologically-active compound or fine chemical that you need.

Moisture/Oxygen Sensitive Reactions

We have installed a state-of-the-art MBRAUN LABstar Pro glovebox, capable of achieving the gold standard for inert atmosphere chemistry (<1 ppm of oxygen and water). Used for both plate-based chemistry and for traditional round-bottomed flask synthesis, the extremely low levels of oxygen and water ensure that every reaction performs optimally. With this capability, our clients can rest assured in the knowledge that their chemistry is in truly professional hands.

Photochemistry

Photochemistry is now at the forefront of organic chemistry research, and here at Domainex we possess the expertise and state-of-the-art equipment to execute photochemical transformations. Our offerings include:

Reaction Optimisation: Utilising our high-throughput, plate-based Lumidox kit, we can optimise reactions at the two most commonly used wavelengths (385 nm and 445 nm).
Small to Medium Scale Synthesis: We employ photoredox and photochemical methodologies for synthesis at milligram to gram scales using Kessil lamps (390 nm and 440 nm).
Large Scale Synthesis: Our flow technology with Vapourtec systems enables large-scale synthesis (up to 25 g/day) using photochemistry (440 nm).

Flow Chemistry

Continuous flow chemistry is an important tool to a synthetic chemist, allowing for increased throughput, efficiency and safety, in particular when addressing scale-up chemistry. The use of the Vapourtec E-series flow system allows for highly effective, adaptable and versatile set-ups by making use of a variety of modular equipment. A range of reactor types are available which allow multi-step reactions to be performed at temperatures from -70 °C to 150 °C.

Our flow platform perfectly complements our photochemistry capabilities enabling small-scale high-throughput approaches through to multi gram syntheses.

Hydrogenation Suite

Encompassing a Parr reactor, an Asynt benchtop high-pressure reactor, and a ThalesNano H-cube flow reactor, our hydrogenation suite is fully equipped to deliver on challenging reductions using a pressure of up to 200 bar.

Plate-Based Reaction Optimisation and Direct-to-Biology

Our capabilities in plate-based reaction optimisation are at the frontier of modern organic chemistry, and our in-house team of experts are actively encouraged to “push the envelope” in terms of what is possible. Using a powerful blend of pre-prepared plates containing the necessary catalysts, with ready-to-use templates in our Electronic Lab Notebooks (ELN), we can complete 24-96 reactions in a matter of hours rather than weeks.

For further information, check out our blog post on the use of pre-prepared plates to optimise medicinal chemistry transformations using high-throughput experimentation (HTE) approaches.

Direct-to-Biology (D2B) combines nano-scale plate-based chemistry with rapid biological screening to achieve a throughput enhancement that is orders of magnitude larger than for traditional chemistry platform. For further information, please visit our dedicated page on D2B, or contact one of our experts today.

Library Synthesis

Robust Structure Activity Relationships (SAR) are built on a wealth of quality data; that is why we’ve invested heavily in our library synthesis infrastructure to achieve fast turnaround times with a high rate of success.

Our library synthesis platform specialises in the synthesis of 10-50 mg of each compound to a purity of >95% by ¹H NMR and UPLC-MS. Liquid handlers and plate-based reactor blocks are typically used for library synthesis campaigns; for reactions which require microwave irradiation, our CEM Discover® SP microwave with robotic sample handler allows up to 36 reactions to be queued in each run. Purification is achieved by automated prep-HPLC and sample fractions are dried using our Genevac, then transferred to vials ready for shipment or testing, courtesy of our Biotage® V10. We also offer shipment of assay-ready plates as part of our library synthesis service.

State-of-the-Art Software

Each and every one of our experiments is written in accordance with the globally recognised ALCOA+ (Attributable, Legible, Contemporaneous, Original, Accurate, Complete, Consistent, Enduring, Available) principles, inside our state-of-the-art Electronic Lab Notebooks (ELN) provided by Dotmatics.

Our chemists have access to Reaxys’ Predictive Retrosynthesis Module which uses Artificial Intelligence (AI) to propose scientifically robust synthetic routes. This tool complements our scientists' knowledge and the plethora of experimental data stored within our ELN and can provide non-obvious synthetic solutions. It ensures our expert synthetic and medicinal chemists focus on the most productive routes, allowing us to provide our clients with an efficient and cost-effective service.

Analysis and Purification

Our chemists carry out their own routine analyses and purifications on our automated systems, meaning that your compounds can be produced more efficiently and quickly. However, our dedicated team of highly skilled, analytical and purification chemists is available for more challenging analytical studies if required.