Statistically driven automated method for catalytic glucose conversion optimisation

A statistically driven, automated approach to optimize glucose transformations to platform chemicals, methyl lactate and levulinic acid, is reported. The combination of a robotic synthesis platform with design of experiments methods enabled efficient and precise modelling of glucose conversion catalysed by SnCl4·5H2O with 0–100% H2O and methanol as a cosolvent. Using this strategy, optimal reaction conditions within the available reaction space were identified in 58 runs, showcasing the excellent efficiency of this method in producing high yields of methyl lactate (75.9%) and levulinic acid (64.5%) in independent reactions via distinct retro-aldol condensation and dehydration pathways, respectively