Recent advances in 3D printing for continuous flow chemistry

Abstract

Continuous flow processes have distinct advantages over batch chemistry when it comes to long-term sustainability in the chemical industry, and they are widely acknowledged as being a greener approach to synthesis. However, despite this, the high costs and complexity of current commercial systems act as barriers to entry in this key technology for new entrants, stymieing chemists transition to continuous flow. In this overview, we discuss how 3D printing has emerged as a transformative force for chemists seeking to move into continuous flow. Alongside the physical equipment and microreactors, recent reports on incorporation of catalysts into 3D-printed reactors offers great promise for recyclability and environmental sustainability and the combined convergence of 3D printing and catalysis represents a transformative shift toward environmentally conscious, efficient, and standardized chemical processes in continuous flow.