A parallel combinatorial synthesis of azo dyes experiment was developed that uses distinct colors to illustrate the concept of diversity and structure–function relationships. This experiment is suitable for undergraduate laboratories and has been used by both chemistry majors and nonmajors undergraduates in Miami University. Azo dyes can be prepared easily in one laboratory period and were chosen to illustrate the concept of diversity oriented synthesis. In the experiment, the positions of the laboratory are divided into a grid. Each student produces a unique azo dye, whose structure is coded according to his or her lab bench position. At the end of the experiment, a multifiber strip is dyed using the student's own synthetic dye. A colorful spectrum of azo dyes are produced collectively by the class.
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Gung et al. (2004) studied this question.