Issue 13, 2013

Microfluidic origami: a new device format for in-line reaction monitoring by nanoelectrospray ionization mass spectrometry

Abstract

Microfluidics is an attractive platform for chemical synthesis because it offers fast reaction times, reduced reagent usage, and the ability to integrate multiple functions on a single device. Digital Microfluidics (DMF) is particularly well-suited for microscale chemical synthesis, as it permits discretized sample handling, allowing for total process control. However, a limitation of DMF-based synthesis is analysis, which is often performed offline. To this end, we have developed “microfluidic origami”, a new device format that integrates DMF with in-line analysis by mass spectrometry (MS). This format comprises a DMF platform and a folded nanoelectrospray ionization (nanoESI) emitter formed on a single flexible polyimide film substrate. Additionally, the device contains a two-plate-to-one-plate DMF interface, which allows for straightforward coupling of micro-reaction operations and product delivery to the emitter for analysis. The integrated platform was used to perform the Morita–Baylis–Hillman (MBH) reaction using DMF followed by inline MS analysis for monitoring the reaction progress in real-time. We propose that this platform has potential as a new tool for real-time monitoring of reaction rates and reaction pathways and could be a useful addition to the synthetic organic chemistry laboratory.

Graphical abstract: Microfluidic origami: a new device format for in-line reaction monitoring by nanoelectrospray ionization mass spectrometry

Supplementary files

Article information

Article type
Paper
Submitted
31 Dec 2012
Accepted
25 Jan 2013
First published
14 Feb 2013

Lab Chip, 2013,13, 2533-2540

Microfluidic origami: a new device format for in-line reaction monitoring by nanoelectrospray ionization mass spectrometry

A. E. Kirby and A. R. Wheeler, Lab Chip, 2013, 13, 2533 DOI: 10.1039/C3LC41431K

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