AUTOMATION OF ORGANIC-SYNTHESIS IN INDUSTRIAL-RESEARCH LABORATORIES

The introduction of a workstation in the organic synthesis laboratory as a current tool is a challenge. On one hand, the capabilities of the new tool must be in accordance with the type of chemistry performed in the laboratory at that particular moment, and on the other hand chemists must be aware of the methodological changes its introduction may generate. We have, at Rhone-Poulenc, developed a methodology to access and to progress toward the realisation of various workstations. This methodology involves a step-by-step procedure, in which validation and/or intensive testing by chemists is required. The main steps are: (1) precise definition of the application: functional specifications; (2) analysis of the elementary automated tools needed; (3) development of as yet non-existing elementary tools; (4) progressive integration of the tools; (5) introduction of supervision capabilities and artificial intelligence. Examples of workstations developed at Rhone-Poulenc will be presented to illustrate this methodology. The use by chemists and the integration into the laboratories will be discussed.