Digging out with a robot

Chemists at Abbott Laboratories are totally dependent on a rapid return of spectroscopic data on their intermediates and synthetic products to ensure that their chemical reactions are on track. Eight years ago, chemists at Abbott often had to wait three days to a week to receive this data, and had to start new reactions without it. That this was an unacceptable situation was clearly recognized by the Abbott chemists, and the management of the spectroscopy area. This paper discusses the approach used to provide totally automated sample preparation and running of both NMR and mass spectrometric samples. In both cases, systems have been developed by which the chemists log their own samples into a database, and a Zymark robotics system does the entire sample preparation and insertion into the spectrometer. Spectra are plotted directly in the client's lab, and the spectroscopy staff need only provide samples to the robot, fresh supplies (solvents, tubes, etc.) and routine maintenance, but no actual sample handling or spectrometer operation. The effects of this automation on throughput, sample turnaround time, and cost per spectrum are presented.