Since 2014 Onyx Scientific, a small molecule CDMO specialising in process R&D and small molecule API manufacturing, has been collaborating with Asynt to help improve their laboratory processes and environment, and improve sustainability in the lab.
We spoke with Dr Julian Northen (Solid State Manager) and Dr Chris Atherton (Commercial Manager) who shared their feedback on the DrySyn heating blocks and CondenSyn waterless condensers put to work in their labs.
Here’s what Julian and Chris had to say:
- Why did you decide to install DrySyn in your lab when you were setting it up?
“When we set the labs up there was no doubt in our minds that DrySyn was the way to go for us. It’s easy to use and it’s certainly a cleaner piece of equipment than the old oil baths used previously. The safety aspects were particularly important to us too, though – high temperature oil safety considerations, potential for water ingress and reagent contamination all factored heavily in our decision.”
- How does the overall safety and performance of the DrySyn compare to previous equipment?
“The performance is better and more reliable with DrySyn than it was with oil baths. The temperature is held more easily, and it is easier to insulate without the risk of oil spills. Safety-wise, we avoid oil baths to prevent the inevitable contamination that occurs when using them even under the most rigorous workspace protocols.”
- What are the main types of chemistry you perform and what are the benefits of using DrySyn to carry out these reactions?
“Here at Onyx Scientific, we perform all manners of chemistry. Whether that’s sub-ambient, high temperature (> 180 oc), homogenous and heterogenous semi-batch and batch reactions, or oxidations through phase transfer catalysis and metal ligand reactions…
Stability at temperature is important to our work and DrySyn is fit for purpose in this respect.”
- How useful are the smaller scale parallel DrySyn in addition to larger scale single position DrySyn, and does having both scales help with advancing your projects? If so, how?
“The variety in size is important as we operate over a wide range of scale from multiple parallel screening investigations to larger demonstration type batch processing. The flexibility saves time in terms of set up.”
- How are the DrySyn and your recently purchased new CondenSyn air condensers helping your lab to become more sustainable and efficient?
“Simply put, DrySyn and CondenSyn are helping us in reducing electricity consumption and water usage. In addition, we have reduced solvent use from cleaning oil baths and lowered our consumption of silicon oils. There’s also the reduced cost of tubing and connections to condensers.”
- How would you describe your interactions with Asynt as a customer?
“Your team are always responsive when we have needs, so I have no complaints!”
We’re grateful for Julian and Chris’s feedback on their use of Asynt’s DrySyn oil-free heating blocks and CondenSyn waterless air condensers. If you’d like to speak with one of our technical team about how these would benefit your own work please don’t hesitate to call on + 44 (0)1638 781709, email [email protected] or use the LIVE CHAT box at the bottom right of your screen!
Further information and reading
If you’d like to find out more about Onyx Scientific please visit their website at https://onyxipca.com/
Interested in sharing your own experiences with Asynt laboratory tools? Email [email protected] and let’s have a conversation!
