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The implementation of self-optimizing flow reactors has been mostly limited to model reactions or known synthesis routes. In this work, a self-optimizing flow photochemistry platform is used to develop an original synthesis of the bioactive fragment of Salbutamol and derivatives. The key photochemical steps for the construction of the aryl vicinyl amino alcohol moiety consist of a C-C bond forming reaction followed by an unprecedented, high yielding (80 %), benzylic oxidative cyclization.

The ever increasing industrial production of commodity and specialty chemicals inexorably depletes the finite primary fossil resources available on Earth. The forecast of population growth over the next 3 decades is a very strong incentive for the identification of alternative primary resources other than petro-based ones. In contrast with fossil resources, renewable biomass is a virtually inexhaustible reservoir of chemical building blocks. Shifting the current industrial paradigm from almost exclusively petro-based resources to alternative bio-based raw materials requires more than vibrant political messages; it requires a profound revision of the concepts and technologies on which industrial chemical processes rely. Only a small fraction of molecules extracted from biomass bears significant chemical and commercial potentials to be considered as ubiquitous chemical platforms upon which a new, bio-based industry can thrive. Owing to its inherent assets in terms of unique process experience, scalability, and reduced environmental footprint, flow chemistry arguably has a major role to play in this context. This review covers a selection of C

A robust continuous flow procedure for the transformation of bio-based glycerol into high value-added oxiranes (epichlorohydrin and glycidol) is presented. The flow procedure features a central hydrochlorination/dechlorination sequence and provides economically and environmentally favorable conditions involving an organocatalyst and aqueous solutions of hydrochloric acid and sodium hydroxide. Pimelic acid (10 mol%) shows an exceptional catalytic activity (>99% conversion of glycerol, a high selectivity toward 1,3-dichloro-2-propanol and 81% cumulated yield toward intermediate chlorohydrins) for the hydrochlorination of glycerol (140 °C) with 36 wt% aqueous HCl. These conditions are validated on a sample of crude bio-based glycerol. The dechlorination step is effective (quantitative conversion based on glycerol) with concentrated aqueous sodium hydroxide (20 °C) and can be directly concatenated to the hydrochlorination step, hence providing a ca. 2 : 3 separable mixture of glycidol and epichlorohydrin (74% cumulated yield). An in-line membrane separation unit is included downstream, providing usable streams of epichlorohydrin (in MTBE, with an optional concentrator) and glycidol (in water). The scalability of the dechlorination step is then assessed in a commercial pilot-scale continuous flow reactor. Next, bio-based epichlorohydrin is further utilized for the continuous flow preparation of β-amino alcohol active pharmaceutical ingredients including propranolol (hypertension, WHO essential), naftopidil (prostatic hyperplasia) and alprenolol (angina pectoris) within a concatenable two-step procedure using a FDA class 3 solvent (DMSO). This work provides the first example of direct upgrading of bio-based glycerol into high value-added pharmaceuticals under continuous flow conditions.

With ever-evolving light-emitting diode (LED) technology, classical photochemical transformations are becoming accessible with more efficient and industrially viable light sources. In combination with a triplet sensitizer, we report the detailed exploration of [2 + 2] cycloadditions, in flow, of various maleic anhydride derivatives with gaseous ethylene. By the use of a flow reactor capable of gas handling and LED wavelength/power screening, an in-depth optimization of these reactions was carried out. In particular, we highlight the importance of matching the substrate and sensitizer triplet energies alongside the light source emission wavelength and power. Initial triplet-sensitized reactions of maleic anhydride were hampered by benzophenone’s poor absorbance at 375 nm. However, density functional theory (DFT) calculations predicted that derivatives such as citraconic anhydride have low enough triplet energies to undergo triplet transfer from thioxanthone, whose absorbance matches the LED emission at 375...

The method and results described herein concern the photosensitized addition of various alcohols to renewable platform fumaric and itaconic acids under scalable continuous-flow conditions in glass micro- and mesofluidic reactors. Alcohols were used both as reagents and as solvents, thus contributing to a reduced environmental footprint. Process parameters such as the temperature, light intensity, and the nature as well as amount of the photosensitizer were assessed under microfluidic conditions and, next, transposed to a lab-scale mesofluidic reactor connected with an in-line NMR spectrometer for real-time reaction monitoring. Substituted γ-butyrolactones, including spiro derivatives with unique structural features, were obtained with quantitative conversion of the starting materials and in 47–76% isolated yields. The model photoaddition of isopropanol to fumaric acid was next successfully transposed in a pilot-scale continuous-flow photoreactor to further demonstrate scalability.

The batch-to-flow translation of inter- and intramolecular strategies for the diastereoselective preparation of the active pharmaceutical ingredient threo-methylphenidate hydrochloride is presented. Both inter- and intramolecular strategies imply the telescoping of multiple processing steps and the generation of unstable diazo species under continuous-flow conditions. The intermolecular strategy relies on an unprecedented continuous-flow Rh-catalyzed intermolecular C–H carbene insertion, providing enriched threo-N-Boc methylphenidate in 38% or 19% isolated yield according to sequential or fully telescoped processes, respectively. Quantitative Boc-deprotection is carried out off-line. The intramolecular strategy relies on a continuous-flow thermal intramolecular C–H carbene insertion, providing enriched threo-methylphenidate hydrochloride in 70% isolated yield. A continuous-flow photochemical alternative is also presented. The critical step of the most promising intramolecular strategy is implemented on the mesoscale in a pilot-scale continuous-flow reactor.

The benchmark route for the preparation of cyclic organic carbonates starts from toxic, volatile and unstable epoxides. In this work, cyclic organic carbonates are prepared according to alternative sustainable and intensified continuous flow conditions from the corresponding 1,2-diols. The process utilizes dimethyl carbonate (DMC) as a low toxicity carbonation reagent and relies on the organocatalytic activity of widely available and cheap organic ammonium and phosphonium salts. Glycerol is selected as a model substrate for preliminary optimization with a library of homogeneous ammonium and phosphonium salts. The nature of the anion dramatically influences the catalytic activity, while the nature of the cation does not impact the reaction. Upon optimization, glycerol carbonate is obtained in 95% conversion and 79% selectivity within 3 min residence time at 180 °C (11 bar) with 3.5 mol% of tetrabutylammonium bromide as the organocatalyst. A straightforward liquid–liquid extraction procedure enables both the purification of glycerol carbonate and the recycling of the homogeneous catalyst. The conditions are amenable to refined and crude bio-based glycerol, although conversions are lower in the latter case. Control experiments suggest that water present in the crude samples induces significant hydrolysis of glycerol carbonate. The reaction conditions are then successfully applied on a wide variety of substrates, affording the corresponding cyclic carbonates in overall good to excellent yields (20 examples, 45–95%). The substrate scope notably encompasses bio-based starting materials such as glycerol ethers and erythritol-derived diols. In-line NMR is featured as a qualitative analytical tool for real-time reaction monitoring. The scalability of this carbonation procedure on glycerol is assessed in a commercial pilot-scale silicon carbide continuous flow reactor of 60 mL internal volume. Glycerol carbonate is obtained in 76% yield, corresponding to a productivity of 13.6 kg per day.

In the current context of transitioning to more sustainable chemical processes, the upgrading of biobased platform molecules (i.e., the chemical transformation of widely available low molecular weight entities from biomass) is attracting significant attention, in particular when combined with enabling continuous flow conditions. The success of this combination is largely due to the ability to explore new process conditions and the perspective of facilitating seamless scalability while maintaining a small overall footprint. This review considers representative continuous flow processes which utilize a selection of currently popular platform molecules that target industrially relevant building blocks, including (a) commodity chemicals, (b) specialty and fine chemicals, and (c) fuels and fuel additives.

Flow chemistry has many fascinating facets, among which the most challenging is arguably the implementation of complex multistep processes within one uninterrupted fluidic network. This document provides a thorough overview of some of the most representative examples of multistep continuous-flow strategies in the specific context of preparing heterocyclic active pharmaceuticals. Selected examples emphasizing the implementation of multistep sequences, including various combinations of chemical transformations, purifications, or in-line analysis, are discussed.

The benzotriazole fragment is known to behave as (1) an excellent leaving group, (2) an electron-donating or an electron-withdrawing group, (3) an anion precursor, and (4) a radical precursor. It confers unique physicochemical properties to its immediate vicinity on various molecular scaffolds. This review covers the preparation and synthetic utility of versatile benzotriazole derivatives. The selected compounds are conveniently prepared from 1H-benzotriazole and are characterized by a huge synthetic potential. Their specific reactivity is discussed and illustrated with various examples ranging from methodology in organic chemistry to the total synthesis of complex structures.