Researchers at Cardiff University used the Carousel 6 Plus Reaction Station to support the development of a highly selective chemo-enzymatic oxidation system for the synthesis of valuable oxindole compounds.

Introduction

Researchers at the Cardiff Catalysis Institute, Cardiff University, have demonstrated an efficient chemo-enzymatic approach for the selective oxidation of indoles to 2-oxindoles, using the Radleys Carousel 6 Plus Reaction Station as part of their experimental setup.

Published in Green Chemistry, the work focused on combining chloroperoxidase (CPO) enzymes with supported AuPd nanoalloy catalysts to generate hydrogen peroxide in situ, enabling highly selective oxidation under comparatively mild conditions. The resulting process offers a greener alternative to conventional oxidation routes that often rely on stoichiometric oxidants and generate hazardous by-products.

Enabling controlled gas-phase chemo-enzymatic screening

The Cardiff University team utilised the Carousel 6 Plus Reaction Station with a gas distribution system to perform parallel catalyst screening under carefully controlled gaseous conditions. The setup enabled independent control of hydrogen and air mixtures, controlled pressurisation, and reproducible stirring across multiple sealed reaction vessels.

Researchers carried out catalyst testing in sealed gas-tight 50 mL round-bottom flasks rated to 60 psi and stirred using the Carousel 6 Plus equipped with a gas distribution system. The system was connected to a gas mixing tank with independent gas lines and pressure regulators, allowing precise control over reagent gas composition and reaction pressure.

The researchers used the system for hydrogen peroxide synthesis, catalyst reuse studies, and chemo-enzymatic indole oxidation experiments, enabling efficient optimisation of catalyst composition, reaction conditions, and oxidant delivery strategies.

Supporting greener oxidation chemistry

The study highlights the growing importance of integrated catalytic systems for sustainable pharmaceutical and fine chemical synthesis, particularly where precise reaction control and reproducibility are essential.

Discover how the Carousel 6 Plus Reaction Station supports catalyst screening and reaction optimisation under controlled gas conditions.

Link to paper