title: Microfluidic origami: a new device format for in-line reaction monitoring by nanoelectrospray ionization mass spectrometry.
abstract: Microfluidics is an attractive platform for chemical synthesis because it offers fast reaction times, reduced reagent usage, and the ability to integrate multiple functions on a single device. Digital Microfluidics (DMF) is particularly well-suited for microscale chemical synthesis, as it permits discretized sample handling, allowing for total process control. However, a limitation of DMF-based synthesis is analysis, which is often performed offline. To this end, we have developed "microfluidic origami", a new device format that integrates DMF with in-line analysis by mass spectrometry (MS). This format comprises a DMF platform and a folded nanoelectrospray ionization (nanoESI) emitter formed on a single flexible polyimide film substrate. Additionally, the device contains a two-plate-to-one-plate DMF interface, which allows for straightforward coupling of micro-reaction operations and product delivery to the emitter for analysis. The integrated platform was used to perform the Morita-Baylis-Hillman (MBH) reaction using DMF followed by inline MS analysis for monitoring the reaction progress in real-time. We propose that this platform has potential as a new tool for real-time monitoring of reaction rates and reaction pathways and could be a useful addition to the synthetic organic chemistry laboratory.
authors: Department of Chemistry, University of Toronto, 80 St George St., Toronto, ON M5S 3H6, Canada.
authors: Andrea E
authors: AE
authors: Kirby
authors: Aaron R
authors: AR
authors: Wheeler
mesh_terms: D000179:Acrylates / Q000737:chemistry; D046210:Microfluidic Analytical Techniques / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D036103:Nanotechnology; D010879:Piperazines / Q000737:chemistry; D011725:Pyridines / Q000737:chemistry; D012117:Resins, Synthetic / Q000737:chemistry; D021241:Spectrometry, Mass, Electrospray Ionization
chemical_list: D000179:Acrylates; D010879:Piperazines; D011725:Pyridines; D012117:Resins, Synthetic; C051439:pyridinecarboxaldehyde; C029945:polyimide resin; C035956:methyl acrylate; C007306:triethylenediamine