flowchemistry

Flow chemistry, also known as continuous flow chemistry or microreactor technology, is a method of performing chemical reactions in a continuously flowing stream within a network of tubes, pipes, or microfluidic chips. This contrasts with traditional batch chemistry, where reactants are mixed in a vessel and allowed to react. In flow chemistry, reagents are pumped through a reactor, and the product is collected as it exits.

This approach offers several advantages. Precise control over reaction parameters like temperature, pressure, and residence time is achievable, leading to improved reaction yields, selectivity, and safety. The small reaction volumes inherent in flow systems also facilitate rapid heat and mass transfer, enabling reactions that are difficult or hazardous to perform in batch. This can include highly exothermic reactions or those involving unstable intermediates. Furthermore, flow chemistry allows for easier scale-up by simply running the system for longer periods or by using multiple reactors in parallel, a concept known as numbering-up.

The technology is finding applications across various fields, including pharmaceuticals, fine chemicals, materials science, and academic research. It enables the synthesis of complex molecules more efficiently and safely, and can be integrated with in-line analytical techniques for real-time monitoring and process optimization. The development of specialized flow reactors and pumps has been crucial to the advancement of this technique.