Cleavage of the PMP amine protecting group – useful in the synthesis of enantiopure amines – is a fast and exothermic reaction, which limits the feasibility of batch process up-scaling.

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Selective α-ketone bromination

The synthesis of α-ketone bromides provides a good pathway towards α-substituted ketones through bromide substitution. Unfortunately direct α-ketone bromination with bromine limits batch scale-up.

FutureChemistry's Application Notes

Paal-Knorr pyrrole synthesis

The Paal-Knorr pyrrole synthesis can be used in the synthesis of furans and thiophenes. Due to its exothermic nature, the reaction is of not much use in the chemical industry.

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Synthesis of azides from amines

The synthesis of azides provides a good pathway towards triazoles through the Huisgen azide-alkyne cycloaddition but is dangerous, as the compounds tend to decompose violently under pressure or raised temperature.

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Swern-Moffatt oxidation

Aldol condensation: synthesis of dibenzalacetone

The aldol condensation of benzaldehyde and acetone is a classical example of a spontaneous, exothermic reaction. Therefore in batch controlled reagent addition and cooling is needed.

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Synthesis of azides from halides

The synthesis of azides is a key reaction in organic chemistry, as it provides a good pathway towards triazoles through the Huisgen azide-alkyne cycloaddition. Traditionally, this reaction is carried out using a variety of azide reagents, which can be explosive and release toxic gas.

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Nitration of anisole

The nitration of aromatic compounds is a key reaction in organic chemistry. Conventionally, this reaction is difficult to control due to its exothermic character and the reagents’ high reactivity.

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Diazotization: Synthesis of Sudan I

Methylation with diazomethane

Reactions employing diazomethane as a methylating agent are very useful in organic synthesis, due to their high selectivity and yields. However, preparing diazomethane requires much care, since it is a highly reactive species which can spontaneously explode on contact with sharp edges.

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A convenient and selective way of forming a carbon-carbon double bond is through the Wittig reaction and its modifications.

FutureChemistry's Application Notes

Conventionally, the Wittig reaction is a two-step process, where the salt is treated with a base to obtain the reactive phosphonium ylide species. In batch, this two-phase system suffers from irreproducibility issues due to uncontrollable mixing behaviour.

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Epoxidation Prilezhaev reaction of alkenes and formation of trans-diols

The synthesis of epoxides is a useful reaction in organic chemistry, as it provides a good pathway towards trans-diols through alkaline hydrolysis. Traditionally, this reaction is difficult to control due to its fast reaction rate and exothermic character.

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A model reaction – the photosensitized conjugate addition of isopropanol to furanone – was successfully translated from batch to continuous flow using our Photochemistry Module.

FutureChemistry's Application Notes

Grignard reaction

The Grignard reaction is a very useful organic transformation. In batch, Grignard reactions have to be conducted at strict anhydrous conditions under an inert atmosphere, as the reagent is very sensitive to atmospheric moisture.

FutureChemistry's Application Notes