Automated reaction optimisation in continuous flow

This article highlights some of the recent advances in the area of optimising chemical synthesis. We explore how continuous flow chemistry, coupled with automation and optimisation techniques, can constitute a powerful tool that enables searches in larger chemical spaces and can assist delivering better methods faster. The combination of methods like Design of Experiment and local and global optimisation algorithms, such as SIMPLEX and Bayesian approaches, can further enhance the information gathered while optimising a method. Coupling these methods with intelligent, cloud based, automated platforms, enables a holistic approach to optimising chemical synthesis that combines chemistry, engineering and informatics.