Noel Research Group

Tech-Enhanced Synthesis: Exploring the Synergy between Organic Chemistry and Technology Recent years have witnessed growing interest in integrating enabling technologies into synthetic organic chemistry to address long-standing challenges in reproducibility, sustainability, and scalability. This perspective showcases how modern tools, ranging from continuous-flow reactors and electrochemical cells to photochemical technologies, biocatalysis, mechanochemistry, and self-driving laboratories, are reshaping the way chemists design, perform, and optimize reactions. Through selected case studies, we highlight how these technologies not only solve specific reactivity and process issues but also open new avenues for reactivity discovery and chemical innovation. Rather than viewing technology as a complication, we advocate for its adoption as a natural extension of synthetic creativity, capable of enhancing safety, reducing waste, and expanding accessible chemical space. Our aim is to inspire broader implementation and interdisciplinary training to equip the next generation of chemists with the tools to rethink how synthesis is performed in the 21st century.

Our group’s mission: exploring the synergy between organic chemistry & technology.

In our new @jacs.acspublications.org Perspective, we highlight 6 technologies reshaping synthetic organic chemistry:

⚙️ Flow
💡 Photo
⚡ Electro
🌱 Bio
🌀 Mechano
🤖 Automation

👉 doi.org/10.1021/jacs...

We Will do that after final version is Published. Working on that, paper is submitted now 🍀

A Flexible and Affordable Self-Driving Laboratory for Automated Reaction Optimization Self-driving laboratories (SDLs) have the potential to revolutionize chemical discovery and optimization, yet their widespread adoption remains limited by high costs, complex infrastructure, and limited accessibility. Here, we introduce RoboChem-Flex, a low-cost, modular self-driving laboratory platform designed to democratize autonomous chemical experimentation. The system combines customizable, in-house-built hardware with a flexible Python-based software framework that integrates real-time device control and advanced Bayesian optimization strategies, including multi-objective and transfer learning workflows. RoboChem-Flex supports both fully autonomous closed-loop operation and human-in-the-loop configurations, enabling seamless integration with shared analytical equipment and minimizing entry barriers. We validate the versatility of the platform across six diverse case studies, including photocatalysis, biocatalysis, thermal cross-couplings, and enantioselective catalysis, spanning both single and multi-objective optimizations. Through these campaigns, we demonstrate RoboChem-Flex’s ability to navigate large, complex chemical spaces, autonomously identify scalable high-performance reaction conditions, and flexibly adapt to a variety of analytical setups. By providing an affordable, scalable, and open platform, RoboChem-Flex offers a tangible step toward making SDLs accessible to resource-limited laboratories, fostering broader participation in automated chemical research.

#RobSelects preprint of the week #ChemRxiv: A frugal flow-based self-driving laboratory platform for optimization of diverse organic reactions. #autochem https://doi.org/10.26434/chemrxiv-2025-73xqf

You are cordially invited to apply for a conference grant 💰 for the Beilstein Organic Chemistry Symposium “Technologies shaping future directions in synthesis”, in Limburg, Germany, 📅 October 14–16, 2025.
🔗 https://tinyurl.com/srmfjdwx
#BeilsteinShapingSynthesis2025
@annagslater.bsky.social

New @chemrxiv.bsky.social preprint!

RoboChem-Flex is a powerful, low-cost (<5k EUR), modular self-driving lab for chemical synthesis

We showcase 6 studies (photochemistry, biocatalysis, cross coupling, ee ...), all optimized with different configurations & ML

🔗 chemrxiv.org/engage/chemr...

🚫 Current self-driving labs (SDLs) cost >$100K, blocking access for most researchers.

💡 Enter RoboChem-Flex: A fully modular, AI-driven lab for under €5K.

Built to democratize automation in chemistry. Open, affordable, and powerful.

🔗 chemrxiv.org/engage/chemr...

Ooh cool! It's exciting to see hardware for self-driving labs getting cheaper/easier to set up. #CompChem 🧪⚗️

🙏 thank you for the kind words 🙏

e.g. integrating the UHPLC-MS was a pain as the software from Agilent is proprietary and thus reading out the data is simply made impossible - barring potential closed loop operation. we found a solution but it took a lot of time...

we believe that writing/building/assembling it yourself helps to understand the tricky details of every component. End-to-end integration helps to make an SDL that simply works better than e.g. buying of the shelf equipment, assembling it and then realize that most are an impenetrable black box

Due to the multidisciplinarity, incl. many different chemistries, we needed a whole bunch of competences. 1 technician, 4 postdocs, 6 PhD, 2 MSc and 5 PIs.

🚫 Current self-driving labs (SDLs) cost >$100K, blocking access for most researchers.

💡 Enter RoboChem-Flex: A fully modular, AI-driven lab for under €5K.

Built to democratize automation in chemistry. Open, affordable, and powerful.

🔗 chemrxiv.org/engage/chemr...

The team worked their ass off to make this SI! We are happy it is so appreciated 🙏

Just scrolled through it, but this:
A) looks amazing
B) is how you should write a supplementary information

🙏

New @chemrxiv.bsky.social preprint!

RoboChem-Flex is a powerful, low-cost (<5k EUR), modular self-driving lab for chemical synthesis

We showcase 6 studies (photochemistry, biocatalysis, cross coupling, ee ...), all optimized with different configurations & ML

🔗 chemrxiv.org/engage/chemr...

🆕 Preprint out now on @chemrxiv.bsky.social!

We report a modular flow cascade for the synthesis of γ- & N-substituted γ-lactams via photochemical radical alkylation and cyclization.

Fast, scalable & broad scope!

🔗 chemrxiv.org/engage/chemr...

#FlowChemistry #Photochemistry #Lactams

🆕 Preprint out now on @chemrxiv.bsky.social!

We report a modular flow cascade for the synthesis of γ- & N-substituted γ-lactams via photochemical radical alkylation and cyclization.

Fast, scalable & broad scope!

🔗 chemrxiv.org/engage/chemr...

#FlowChemistry #Photochemistry #Lactams

New paper in #GreenChemistry!

We developed a recyclable ionic liquid photocatalyst based on decatungstate (DT-IL) 💡

✅ Easy synthesis ✅ Broad solvent compatibility
✅ 100× higher concentrations ✅ Fully recyclable

🔗 pubs.rsc.org/en/content/a...

#Photocatalysis #FlowChemistry

New paper in #GreenChemistry!

We developed a recyclable ionic liquid photocatalyst based on decatungstate (DT-IL) 💡

✅ Easy synthesis ✅ Broad solvent compatibility
✅ 100× higher concentrations ✅ Fully recyclable

🔗 pubs.rsc.org/en/content/a...

#Photocatalysis #FlowChemistry

I had a great day in Amsterdam, giving a talk at the University of Amsterdam and then acting as one of the external examiners at my first Dutch PhD viva, and finally getting to witness the celebrations through the canals of Amsterdam. Thanks @tnoel82.bsky.social for the invite and hosting.

Our latest study presents a photocatalytic platform that enables the Minisci alkylation of heteroarenes using C1-C4 hydrocarbons under continuous-flow conditions.

No prefunctionalized reagents—just change the gas to vary the alkyl moiety!

Now at #ACSCentralScience: pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/...

Our latest study presents a photocatalytic platform that enables the Minisci alkylation of heteroarenes using C1-C4 hydrocarbons under continuous-flow conditions.

No prefunctionalized reagents—just change the gas to vary the alkyl moiety!

Now at #ACSCentralScience: pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/...

'Go' With The Flow' 2025 poster in English. Abstract submission deadline 12th May, General Registration deadline 26th May.

'Go' With The Flow' 2025 poster in Welsh. Abstract submission deadline 12th May, General Registration deadline 26th May.

I am proud to announce the second annual ‘Go With The Flow’ conference for 2025.
The conference will take place on June 9th.
This year our plenary speakers are Professor Tim Noёl, @tnoel82.bsky.social, Professor Stephen Hilton, and Dr Charlotte Willans.

See the poster for details:
🧪 #flowchemistry

Register now for the Beilstein Organic Chemistry Symposium “Technologies shaping future directions in synthesis”, 📅 October 14–16, 2025, in Limburg, Germany. 
🔗 https://tinyurl.com/nmpnwhzr
#BeilsteinShapingSynthesis2025

@annagslater.bsky.social
@catalysis-lab.bsky.social
@tnoel82.bsky.social

Ni/photoredox-catalyzed methylation of (hetero)aryl bromides using air-stable DABAl-Me₃ — also flow-compatible and scalable.

Mechanistic studies reveal an unprecedented generation of a methyl radical from an organoaluminum compound.

Now
@chemrxiv.bsky.social: chemrxiv.org/engage/chemr...

Ni/photoredox-catalyzed methylation of (hetero)aryl bromides using air-stable DABAl-Me₃ — also flow-compatible and scalable.

Mechanistic studies reveal an unprecedented generation of a methyl radical from an organoaluminum compound.

Now
@chemrxiv.bsky.social: chemrxiv.org/engage/chemr...

Our latest study presents a photocatalytic platform that enables the Minisci alkylation of heteroarenes using C1-C4 hydrocarbons under continuous-flow conditions.

No prefunctionalized reagents—just change the gas to vary the alkyl moiety!

@chemrxiv.bsky.social: chemrxiv.org/engage/chemr...

Thrilled to announce our incredible speaker lineup for the 2025 #ETOC Online Symposium! 📢 Join us on April 9-10 from 15:00 to 19:00 (CET).🗓️ Secure your spot today by signing up through the link below! Don't miss this exciting event! uva-live.zoom.us/webinar/regi... (1/4)

⏰Only 1 more week left to apply for the PhD position (Photo)electrochemical synthesis within my group at TU Delft, Chemical Engineering! 🧪🔅