Abstract

Continuous Flow Technologies: A Powerful Tool for the (Organ)Photocatalytic Synthesis of Chiral Molecules

Maurizio Benaglia, Full Professor of Organic Chemistry, Università degli Studi di Milano

The use of enabling technologies and continuous-flow systems are becoming more and more important in the synthesis of chiral APIs (active pharmaceutical ingredients). The combination of organocatalysis and photochemistry can give access in one-step to molecules, which would otherwise be difficult to attain. Examples of asymmetric organocatalyzed photochemical reactions translated into continuous flow are rare. An efficient continuous flow photoredox reactor, that was incorporated as one unit of operation into the first fully telescoped, continuous asymmetric catalytic synthesis of a privileged API will be presented. A visible light catalyzed cyclization of bis(enones) to afford enantiomerically enriched cyclopentane rings, the use of packed-bed reactors in light-driven reactions and a continuous flow approach to access alpha-trifluoromethylthiolated esters and amides starting from commercially available arylacetic acids will be also described, as well as in-flow on water ultrafast organic transformations.