title: A flow-system array for the discovery and scale up of inorganic clusters.
abstract: The batch synthesis of inorganic clusters can be both time consuming and limited by a lack of reproducibility. Flow-system approaches, now common in organic synthesis, have not been utilized widely for the synthesis of clusters. Herein we combine an automated flow process with multiple batch crystallizations for the screening and scale up of syntheses of polyoxometalates and manganese-based single-molecule magnets. Scale up of the synthesis of these architectures was achieved by programming a multiple-pump reactor system to vary reaction conditions sequentially, and thus explore a larger parameter space in a shorter time than conventionally possible. Also, the potential for using the array as a discovery tool is demonstrated. Successful conditions for product isolation were identified easily from the array of reactions, and a direct route to 'scale up' was then immediately available simply by continuous application of these flow conditions. In all cases, large quantities of phase-pure material were obtained and the time taken for the discovery, repetition and scale up decreased.
authors.affiliation: WestCHEM, School of Chemistry, University of Glasgow, University Avenue, Glasgow                 G12 8QQ, UK.
authors.forename: Craig J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Richmond
authors.forename: Haralampos N
authors.initials: HN
authors.lastname: Miras
authors.forename: Andreu Ruiz
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: de la Oliva
authors.forename: Hongying
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Zang
authors.forename: Victor
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Sans
authors.forename: Leonid
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Paramonov
authors.forename: Charalampos
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Makatsoris
authors.forename: Ross
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Inglis
authors.forename: Euan K
authors.initials: EK
authors.lastname: Brechin
authors.forename: De-Liang
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Long
authors.forename: Leroy
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Cronin
mesh_terms: D001331:Automation; D007287:Inorganic Chemicals / Q000737:chemistry*; D059346:Magnets; D008982:Molybdenum / Q000737:chemistry*; D017973:Tungsten Compounds / Q000737:chemistry*; D014867:Water / Q000737:chemistry; D000099294:Polyoxometalates
chemical_list: D007287:Inorganic Chemicals; D008982:Molybdenum; D017973:Tungsten Compounds; D014867:Water; C102296:polyoxometalate I; D000099294:Polyoxometalates