Apparatus and method for concurrent chemical synthesis

An apparatus for synthesis of a polymer, the apparatus comprising:

• a) a rotatable carousel having an axis and comprising a plurality of reaction mounts each arranged on a radius with respect to the axis, each reaction mount comprising at least one reaction well having a drainage hole, wherein the drainage holes are connected to a liquid conduit and an exit port for each reaction mount;
• b) a rotator that rotates the carousel step-wise around the axis;
• c) a fluid delivery system for delivering a plurality of liquids comprising reagents useful in the synthesis of the polymer, the fluid delivery system comprising an assembly positioned above the carousel, the assembly comprising a plurality of dispensing modules, each dispensing module comprising a dispensing head adapted to deliver a predetermined amount of each liquid to each reaction well;
• d) a drain system comprising a plurality of drain lines, whereby the liquid in the reaction wells is drained through the drain lines by differential pressure;
• e) a conduit engagement means comprising a non-rotating connector plate positioned under the carousel, the connector plate having a plurality of engagement ports that are connected to the drain lines and are engagable with the exit ports, and an actuator that raises the connector plate to engage the engagement ports with the exit ports;
• and
• f) a programmable digital computer that controls the rotator, the fluid delivery system and the drain system.