Urgent upgrade repair to microwave reactor

Funds are requested to repair and upgrade a microwave reactor to workhorse status in the Thompson synthetic research group at Dalhousie. Trainees in the Thompson group become experts in synthesis involving pyrroles and (poly)pyrroles. Pyrroles are the basis of life on earth, and are a key chemical component of Natures ability to transform sunlight into the energy of life, e.g. heme (animal kingdom) and chlorophyl (plant kingdom). The electron-rich heterocylic nature of pyrroles makes them notoriously challenging to work with, yet Thompson group trainees have almost two decades of success in this area, leading both to high-impact research and trainees first-choice careers. Ready access to microwave-promoted reactivity has been central to Thompson group success over the past six years (NSERC CCV timeline) and more, but our microwave reactor is now completely inoperable due to critical electronic failures (motherboard). We herein request funds to repair our microwave reactor so that we can return to the efficient development of enabling synthetic methods involving poly(pyrroles). Attention as per the attached quote and budget justification will repair and upgrade our microwave reactor to factory status. This will cost less than half of the price of a new instrument, yet will enable trainees to return to their world-class research involving synthesis and manipulations with electron-rich pyrroles.