IceCube™ Flow Reactor

Exothermic reactions, by their very nature, often progress rapidly through unstable intermediates. Maintaining a firm control over parameters such as temperature and pressure is problematic, so their utilization is limited in synthetic practice. However, flow techniques have the potential of keeping such reactions under control via their improved heat and mass transfer capabilities, allowing one to exploit untapped or avoided chemistries.

• High energy reactions can be performed in a safe manner through excellent temperature control (from -50 °C to +80°C)
• Modular system with software control
• Two reactors are connected in sequence to react any hazardous intermediates generated immediately, without isolation
• Continuous real-time feedback on the reaction parameters
• Fast response to temperature change to avoid the generation of side product
• Built-in safety features, automatic blockage/leakage detection
• High chemical resistance allowing the use of different reagents, even strong acids
• Easy scale-up from milligram to kilogram scale

The IceCube™ functions with Peltier plates technology to cool down to -50 °C using only tap water and electric power. The reactor is a PTFE tube with variable lengths, embodied in a metallic plate fixed on the Peltier plate. The starting/quenching materials are delivered continuously into the temperature-controlled reaction zones by the pumps and the product is collected in the end in a vial, flask or vessel.

The system is composed of 4 modules: Ozone Module, Pump Module, Reactor Module and Control Module. This makes the system highly customizable, the modules can be configured or purchased separately to match the arrangement that suits the selected application.

The Ozone Module gives you a safe and efficient way of generating ozone from oxygen. The oxygen amount is precisely controlled through the built-in mass flow controller. The system can also be used as a powerful and compact standalone ozonizer.

The Reactor Module is a very versatile reactor capable of controlling even extremely exothermic reactions safely and simply. Composed of two reactor plates with Peltier heating/cooling, the main zone works from -50 °C to 80 °C and the secondary from -30 °C to 80 °C. The reactor is made of PTFE embedded in a pair of aluminum plates. Many different volumes and arrangements allow for wide chemical compatibility. The system can be configured for 2, 3 or 4 reactants in one set of conditions. Difficult or dangerous reactions such as lithiation, azide generation or ozonolysis can be performed and quenched immediately eliminating the risk associated to dangerous intermediates.

The Pump Module consists of 2 rotary piston pumps, which have good chemical compatibility. The pumps are connected to two 3-way valves, which control the path of reactant or solvent through the reactor. Single or multiple pump modules can be purchased depending on the need of the chemist.

The Control Module enables the control of all the above parts as a whole system via a touch screen interface.