Sequential high throughput screening method and system

Abstract

A method and system for high-throughput screening of multiphase reactions are provided. In an exemplary embodiment the method includes the steps of sequentially loading a plurality of discrete combinations of reactants into a longitudinal reaction zone; reacting each of the combinations as it passes through the reaction zone to provide a continuously or an incrementally varying reaction product; and sequentially discharging the reaction product of each of combination from the reaction zone as reaction of each combination is completed.

1 . A high-throughput screening method, comprising the steps of: 
 (A) sequentially loading a plurality of discrete combinations of reactants into a longitudinal reaction zone;    (B) reacting each of said plurality of combinations as each combinations passes through said reaction zone to provide a continuously or an incrementally varying reaction product; and    (C) sequentially discharging the reaction product of each of said combinations from said reaction zone as reaction of each of said combinations is completed.    
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the discrete combinations of reactants vary in identity or amount.  
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein step (B) comprises subjecting each sequentially loaded combination to a varying reaction parameter within said zone.  
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein each combination of reactants is loaded in a vial prior to step (A).  
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said combinations of reactants are suspended in a vapor stream.  
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 2 , further comprising the steps of: 
 (D) detecting said varying products and    (E) correlating said products with said varying reactants to provide a nonrandom combinatorial library of product.    
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 3 , further comprising the steps of: 
 (D) detecting said varying products and    (E) correlating said products with said varying reaction parameters to provide a nonrandom combinatorial library of product.    
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising sequentially loading said combinations into an air lock, sealing said air lock and pressurizing said air lock to a pressure substantially equal to a pressure in said reaction zone prior to loading said combinations according to step (A).  
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising sealing an air lock prior to discharge of said reaction product according to said step (C); discharging said reaction product from said reaction zone to said air lock; sealing said air lock from said reaction zone; releasing pressure in said air lock; and discharging said reaction product from said air lock.  
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said combinations of reactants are at least partially embodied in a liquid, said liquid being contacted within said longitudinal reaction zone with a second reactant at least partially embodied in a gas, the second reactant having a mass transfer rate into the liquid sufficient to allow a reaction rate that is essentially independent of said mass transfer rate.  
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein said each combination of reactants includes a catalyst system comprising a Group VIII B metal.  
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the Group VIII B metal is palladium.  
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the catalyst system further comprises a halide composition.  
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the catalyst system further comprises an inorganic co-catalyst.  
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the catalyst system further comprises a combination of inorganic co-catalysts.  
   
   
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       26 . A high throughput screening method, comprising: 
 (A) selecting a set of reactants;    (B) (i) sequentially reacting each member of said set under a selected set of catalyst or reaction conditions according to a reaction parameter to provide continuously or incrementally varying product, and (iii) evaluating a set of products from said reacting step; and    (C) reiterating (B) wherein a successive set of catalyst or reaction conditions selected for a step (i) is chosen as a result of an evaluating step (iii) of a preceding iteration of step (B).    
   
   
       27 . The method of  claim 26 , wherein said each member is reacted in a catalyst system comprising a Group VIII B metal.  
   
   
       28 . The method of  claim 26 , wherein said each member is reacted in a catalyst system comprising palladium.  
   
   
       29 . The method of  claim 26 , wherein said each member is reacted in a catalyst system comprising a halide composition.  
   
   
       30 . The method of  claim 26 , wherein said each member is reacted in a catalyst system that includes an inorganic co-catalyst.  
   
   
       31 . The method of  claim 26 , wherein said each member is reacted in a catalyst system that includes a combination of inorganic co-catalysts.  
   
   
       32 . The method of  claim 26 , comprising reiterating (B) until said products are evaluated as satisfactory against a preset standard.  
   
   
       33 . The method of  claim 26 , comprising reiterating (B) until said products are evaluated as satisfactory by a general linear model analysis routine.  
   
   
       34 . The method of  claim 26 , comprising reiterating (B) to complete a full factorial design experiment on said set of catalyst or reaction conditions and said set of reactants.  
   
   
       35 . The method of  claim 26 , comprising reiterating (B) until said evaluating (iii) comprises a complete observation of each of all possible combinations of catalyst or reaction condition.  
   
   
       36 . A method of screening multiple chemical reactions according to reaction variables, comprising steps of: 
 (A) sequentially loading combinations of reactants into a longitudinal reaction zone through a charge valve;    (B) subjecting each sequentially loaded combination to a parameter of reaction within said zone to provide continuously or incrementally varying product; and    (D) sequentially discharging a reaction product of each of said combination from said reaction zone as reaction of each of said combination is completed.    
   
   
       37 . The method of  claim 36 , wherein step (A) comprises comprising sequentially loading varying combinations of said reactants into said longitudinal reaction zone.  
   
   
       38 . The method of  claim 36 , wherein step (B) comprises subjecting each sequentially loaded combination to a varying parameter of reaction within said zone.  
   
   
       39 . The method of  claim 36 , wherein step (B) comprises subjecting each sequentially loaded combination to a varying parameter of reaction within said zone to provide continuously and incrementally varying product.  
   
   
       40 . The method of  claim 36 , wherein each said combination of reactants is sequentially loaded in a vial.  
   
   
       41 . The method of  claim 36 , wherein said varying combinations of reactants are suspended in a vapor stream.  
   
   
       42 . The method of  claim 36;  further comprising: 
 (E) controlling a composition of each sequentially loaded combination and controlling said varying parameter of reaction within said zone;    (F) detecting said varying product; and    (G) correlating said detected product with said varying parameters of said reaction to provide a nonrandom combinatorial library of product.    
   
   
       43 . The method of  claim 36 , further comprising sequentially loading said combinations into an air lock, sealing said air lock and pressurizing said air lock to a pressure substantially equal to a pressure in said reaction zone prior to loading said combinations according to step (A).  
   
   
       44 . The method of  claim 36 , comprising sealing an air lock prior to discharge of said reaction product according to said step (D), discharging said reaction product from said reaction zone to said air lock; sealing said air lock from said reaction zone, releasing pressure in said air lock and discharging said reaction product from said air lock.  
   
   
       45 . The method of  claim 36 , comprising providing said combinations of reactants at least partially embodied in a liquid and contacting said liquid within said longitudinal reaction zone with a second reactant system at least partially embodied in a gas, the second reactant system having a mass transport rate into the liquid wherein the liquid forms a film having a thickness sufficient to allow a reaction rate that is essentially independent of the mass transport rate of the second reactant system into the liquid to synthesize said reaction product.