Specially engineered Asynt DrySyn heating blocks are being used by Glasgow University Chemistry Department's Research Group in Structural Chemistry to prepare high quality crystals for study by X-ray and neutron diffraction techniques. This group, part of the WestCHEM Research School led by Prof Chick Wilson, carries out structural chemistry research into the structure and properties of a wide range of molecular materials, with particular focus on hydrogen bonding.
Good quality crystals of the type required for many of the studies carried out in the Wilson Group have to be grown slowly under carefully controlled conditions, requiring close temperature control over periods sometimes extending to several weeks. This can be difficult using conventional water baths, not least because of evaporation. Because of the time factor, it is also more efficient to grow many crystals simultaneously, in parallel.
Asynt's DrySyn heating blocks have been popular in chemistry laboratories world wide as a safer, more convenient alternative to oil and water baths ever since their introduction in 2004. In the Glasgow laboratory several units, some custom-made for the research group's applications to hold up to 24 vessels each, are used in parallel at different temperatures. Dr Lynne Thomas, a senior researcher in the Wilson Research Group, was involved in the specifications and application of the multi-well heating blocks, and comments that "the Asynt heating blocks and the customised capabilities for re-crystallisation offer the flexibility we need and are the ideal solution for our low/medium throughput crystallisation needs".
DrySyn systems are available for single or multiple reaction vessels with volumes from 1ml to 5000ml. They all combine a small footprint with excellent reaction visibility. All models are fully compatible with magnetic stirring, or the novel Vortex Overhead Stirrer System can provide powerful directly driven stirring for up to 3 flasks, improving performance with viscous mixtures and largely eliminating the grinding effects that can occur with magnetic stirrers on solids, especially crystals.
Asynt Ltd, based near Cambridge, was formed in July 2003 to develop, supply and support new and novel products and services for the organic chemist. The company developed the DrySyn range of products (launched in March 2004) and has successfully introduced partner company PharmaCore's custom synthesis services into the European market. Asynt products are developed by a team of chemists with 35 years combined experience and a mission to respond to the real needs of their colleagues in industry and academia. Asynt is committed to investment in new products and chemistries and plans to launch new ideas on a regular basis.
