Application of stop-flow micro-tubing reactor system in organic reaction development

Abstract

Recently demonstrated as a novel reaction screening technology, the stop-flow micro-tubing (SFMT) reactors amalgamate features from continuous micro-flow and conventional batch reactors, resulting in a more logical and rigorous synthesis approach. When compared to traditional batch reactors, SFMT provides a safer and more efficient alternative, particularly suitable for chemical reactions under drastic conditions. The incorporation of commercially available transparent micro-tubing into SFMT makes it an excellent choice for light-mediated reactions, ensuring more uniform exposure to light. And SFMT stands apart from continuous-flow reactors by offering a notably convenient screening approach that is unrestricted by residence time and reactor size, while also effectively eradicating the risk of cross-contamination. The successful reactions developed within the SFMT reactor can be easily translated to continuous-flow synthesis for large-scale production. Overall, the SFMT reactor system exhibits similarities to continuous-flow reactors while surpassing batch reactors, especially for reactions involving gas reagents and/or requiring light illumination. This review aims to provide a comprehensive survey of the synthetic application of SFMT.