Parallel reactor systems for synthesizing materials are disclosed. The reactor systems may include at least two reaction vessels and may be suitable for synthesizing materials produced from corrosive reagents, for example, Ziegler-Natta catalysts. Antechambers may be provided above the reaction vessels to help purge vapors produced by the corrosive reagents. Methods for preparing materials by use of such parallel reactor systems are also disclosed.

The invention provides a method for preparing a compound or a product having one or more characteristics that meet or exceed a user specification, the process comprising the step of selecting a first combination of chemical inputs, optionally together with physical inputs, and supplying those inputs to a reaction space, thereby to generate a first product; analyzing one or more characteristics of the product generated; comparing the one or more characteristics against a user specification; using a genetic algorithm selecting a second combination of chemical inputs, optionally together with physical inputs, wherein the second combination differs from the first combination, and supplying those inputs to the reaction space, thereby to generate a second product; analyzing one or more characteristics of the second product generated; comparing the one or more characteristics generated against the user specification; repeating the selecting and analyzing steps for further individual combinations of chemical and/or physical inputs, to provide an array of products wherein the flow chemistry system operates continuously to provide the first, second and further products, thereby to identify one or more products meeting or exceeding the user specification.

A hydroformylation system for making aldehydes includes: (a) a primary reactor provided with catalyst feed, syngas feed and olefin feed adapted to convert the olefin and syngas to product aldehyde; (b) a first liquid vapor separator coupled to the primary reactor for receiving output therefrom, adapted to separate the product aldehyde into a crude aldehyde product stream and a vent stream containing syngas and unreacted olefin; (c) a vent reactor coupled to the first liquid vapor separator to receive the vent stream therefrom, the vent reactor also being coupled to the primary reactor which is configured to provide catalyst thereto, wherein the vent reactor is operative to convert unreacted olefin in the vent stream from the first liquid vapor separator to additional product aldehyde. A second liquid vapor separator is coupled to the vent reactor to receive output therefrom and adapted to separate the output from the vent reactor into a liquid recycle stream containing additional product aldehyde and catalyst as well as another vent stream, the second liquid vapor separator also being coupled to the primary reactor so as to provide the recycle stream thereto.

A hydroformylation system for making aldehydes includes: (a) a primary reactor provided with catalyst feed, syngas feed and olefin feed adapted to convert the olefin and syngas to product aldehyde; (b) a first liquid vapor separator coupled to the primary reactor for receiving output therefrom, adapted to separate the product aldehyde into a crude aldehyde product stream and a vent stream containing syngas and unreacted olefin; (c) a vent reactor coupled to the first liquid vapor separator to receive the vent stream therefrom, the vent reactor also being coupled to the primary reactor which is configured to provide catalyst thereto, wherein the vent reactor is operative to convert unreacted olefin in the vent stream from the first liquid vapor separator to additional product aldehyde. A second liquid vapor separator is coupled to the vent reactor to receive output therefrom and adapted to separate the output from the vent reactor into a liquid recycle stream containing additional product aldehyde and catalyst as well as another vent stream, the second liquid vapor separator also being coupled to the primary reactor so as to provide the recycle stream thereto.

Parallel reactor systems for synthesizing materials are disclosed. The reactor systems may be suitable for synthesizing materials produced from corrosive reagents. Methods for preparing materials by use of such parallel reactor systems are also disclosed.

Parallel reactor systems for synthesizing materials are disclosed. The reactor systems may be suitable for synthesizing materials produced from corrosive reagents. Methods for preparing materials by use of such parallel reactor systems are also disclosed.

The invention provides a method for preparing a compound or a product having one or more characteristics that meet or exceed a user specification, the process comprising the step of selecting a first combination of chemical inputs, optionally together with physical inputs, and supplying those inputs to a reaction space, thereby to generate a first product; analyzing one or more characteristics of the product generated; comparing the one or more characteristics against a user specification; using a genetic algorithm selecting a second combination of chemical inputs, optionally together with physical inputs, wherein the second combination differs from the first combination, and supplying those inputs to the reaction space, thereby to generate a second product; analyzing one or more characteristics of the second product generated; comparing the one or more characteristics generated against the user specification; repeating the selecting and analyzing steps for further individual combinations of chemical and/or physical inputs, to provide an array of products wherein the flow chemistry system operates continuously to provide the first, second and further products, thereby to identify one or more products meeting or exceeding the user specification.

The invention provides a method for preparing a compound or a product having one or more characteristics that meet or exceed a user specification, the process comprising the step of selecting a first combination of chemical inputs, optionally together with physical inputs, and supplying those inputs to a reaction space, thereby to generate a first product; analysing one or more characteristics of the product generated; comparing the one or more characteristics against a user specification; using a genetic algorithm selecting a second combination of chemical inputs, optionally together with physical inputs, wherein the second combination differs from the first combination, and supplying those inputs to the reaction space, thereby to generate a second product; analysing one or more characteristics of the second product generated; comparing the one or more characteristics generated against the user specification; repeating the selecting and analysing steps for further individual combinations of chemical and/or physical inputs, to provide an array of products wherein the flow chemistry system operates continuously to provide the first, second and further products, thereby to identify one or more products meeting or exceeding the user specification.