High-throughput microwave-assisted organic synthesis: Moving from automated sequential to parallel library-generation formats in silicon carbide microtiter plates

A 48 deep-well microtiter plate system for sealed vessel parallel microwave synthesis is described. The plate consists of a standard 6 x 8 matrix of 48 wells with a maximum working volume of 300 mu L and is made out of strongly microwave-absorbing sintered silicon carbide. In combination with an alumina sealing plate equipped with adequate conical bore holes for sample withdrawal, the setup can be used for microwave processing at temperatures up to similar to 200 degrees C and 20 bar of pressure. The microtiter plate setup displays excellent temperature and reaction homogeneity and was used for the generation of a 30-member library of 2-aminopyrimidines.