Efficient and Sensitive Detection of Reaction Intermediates by NMR – DESIR

The ability to supervise chemical reactions by simultaneously monitoring the concentration of different species in real time and under real conditions is an essential tool for determining kinetics and for elucidating reaction mechanisms as well as for the development and optimization of processes on an industrial scale.

Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) can become an effective and indispensable tool in this field, provided that the quantitative character of the measurement and proximity to the conditions of the reaction medium are retained and that sufficient detection sensitivity is maintained.
DESIR-RMN (Efficient and Sensitive Detection of Reaction Intermediates by NMR) brings together the strengths and competences of a private company, CortecNet, and a CEA research laboratory.

CortecNet is a French VSE with 10 employees, generating more than 80% of its export turnover, notably through its American and Asian subsidiaries. CortecNet is one of the world leaders in the marketing of NMR consumables. For several years, CortecNet has been investing in the production of stable isotope-labeled molecules for NMR, mass spectrometry and imaging applications. The company produces endogenous molecules such as pyruvic acid-1-13C, lactic acid-1-13C, as well as amino acids and carbohydrates selectively enriched in 13C.

The Laboratory Structure & Dynamics by Magnetic Resonance (LSDRM) develops for more than ten years instrumental or methodological solutions for the improvement of the NMR tool. The researchers have recently designed a 3D printing device that fits into the NMR magnet, allowing for the controlled injection of already pre-polarized reactants or reaction mixture into a measuring chamber with sensitive magnetic resonance detection. This system, which has many advantages over existing systems, is still improving.

Based on a competence developed by CortecNet in the synthesis of molecules enriched with stable isotopes, as well as on the LSDRM, a research laboratory recognized for its know-how in the creation of innovative devices intended to improve the NMR tool, the mission of the LabCom DESIR is to provide the community of organic chemists with a complete NMR system enabling in situ monitoring of their reaction synthesis. Although NMR is an indispensable measuring instrument for organic chemists, its use in discontinuous mode often loses precious time. Such a device, if it were available today, would bring substantial productivity gains to chemical laboratories.

The originality of the LabCom DESIR is to develop a simplified device in the first place, which will allow for early commercialization and thus provide feedback from customers before preparing the complete device. These devices will be constantly tested and improved on a variety of labeled molecules developed by CortecNet.

The design of a reactor (or a series of reactors) located in the magnet or closest to the magnet and whose stirring device will be ensured by an elaborate microfluidic system constitutes the main challenge for the realization of the complete module. A CIFRE thesis financed by the SME will have as main objective to design these in situ reactors as well as the non-magnetic agitation systems, temperature management and associated pressures. This work will be carried out in close collaboration between the CortecNet chemists and the LSDRM researchers.