Tools for Microwave SPPS

Automated peptide synthesizers have been in use for several decades and have provided much needed assistance for manual synthesis of long peptides. In 2003, CEM Corporation introduced the first automated microwave peptide synthesizer, Odyssey. This system was updated shortly afterwards to the current version, Liberty (Fig. 20.6). 

The Liberty system is a sequential peptide synthesizer capable of complete automated synthesis, including cleavage, of up to twelve different peptides. The system uses the Discover single-mode microwave reactor that has been widely used in organic synthesis. 

CEM also offers a manual peptide synthesizer. Discover SPS (Fig. 20.7). This system is also based on the Discover microwave reactor. It uses a 25 mL polypropylene SPE cartridge that is held in place in the reactor. Fiber-optic temperature monitoring is included in the system and enables control of microwave power delivery. A vacuum manifold station is provided that enables rapid washing and filtration of reagents during the cycle. The system can be upgraded to the automated Liberty. 

---