Org. Process Res. Dev., 11 (4), 704 -710, 2007. 10.1021/op7000707 S1083-6160(70)00070-1
Web Release Date: June 27, 2007

Copyright © 2007 American Chemical Society

Mesoscale Flow Chemistry: A Plug-Flow Approach to Reaction Optimisation

Rob C. Wheeler,* Otman Benali, Martyn Deal, Elizabeth Farrant, Simon J. F. MacDonald, and Brian H. Warrington

GlaxoSmithKline, Gunnels Wood Road, Stevenage SG1 2NI, United Kingdom

Received for review March 26, 2007.

Abstract:

In recent years, chemistry in flowing systems has become more prominent as a method of carrying out chemical transformations, ranging in scale from analytical-scale (microchemistry) through to kilogram-scale synthesis (macrochemistry). The advantages are readily apparent-increased control of conditions leading to greater reproducibility, scaleability, and increased safety/reduced loss-although its acceptance as a viable synthesis technique has been limited due to its drawbacks, primarily precipitation, liquid handling, and diffusion of the reaction within the reactor. Here, we present details of a system which bridges the gap between micro- and macroreactors and has enabled fast reaction optimisation (using small amounts of reagents) and subsequent multigram scale-up using a commercial reactor.


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