Abstract: The invention is directed to a syringe pump for the controlled addition of reagents to a chemical reaction. The pump has a reduced size for use as a cordless, hand-held laboratory device, and includes a driving mechanism for moving the plunger of a syringe along the syringe barrel, a means for sensing a physical property of the reaction mixture, and a logic control circuit. The driving mechanism includes a motor, a drive shaft, a drive block, and a sliding barrel clamp. The logic control circuit is programmable and controls the syringe pump based on predetermined parameters. The syringe pump adapts the delivery rate of reagent according to changes in physical properties of the reaction mixture such as pH and/or temperature, thus providing a high degree of automated control over a chemical reaction.