Experimental design methodology and data analysis technique applied to optimise an organic synthesis
The study reported here was aimed at maximising the yield of a Michaelis-Becker dibromoalkane monophosphorylation reaction. In order to spare time and save money, we first applied a full factorial experimental design to search for the optimum conditions while performing a low number of experiments. In a second time, we used the Principal Component Analysis (PCA) technique to evidence two uncontrolled factors. Lastly, a special experimental design that took into account all the influential factors allowed us to determine the maximum-yield experimental conditions. This study also evidenced the complementary nature of experimental design methodology and data analysis techniques. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.
experimental design methodology data analysis technique organic synthesis