Vol.:(0123456789)
Topics in Current Chemistry (2018) 376:46
https://doi.org/10.1007/s41061-018-0225-0
1 3
REVIEW
Supported Catalysts for Continuous Flow Synthesis
Marco Colella
1
· Claudia Carlucci
1
· Renzo Luisi
1
Received: 21 August 2018 / Accepted: 15 November 2018 / Published online: 24 November 2018
© Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2018
Abstract
Flow chemistry and heterogenous catalysis hold incredible potential from a sustainability point of view and from a green perspective. In fact, if heterogenous catalysts
are required by the chemical industry for their efficiency, on the other hand, heterogenous flow catalysis would allow performing greener and more efficient chemistry
at an industrial level. In the context of sustainable flow chemistry, in this chapter we
report and discuss selected examples recently published in the specialized literature
on the use of supported organic and organometallic catalysts for continuous flow
synthesis. The use in chemo- and stereoselective synthesis, as well as versatility and
robustness of the newly developed supported catalysts are discussed.
Keywords Flow chemistry · Supported catalysts · Catalysis · Synthesis ·
Stereoselectivity · Continuous processing
1 Introduction
Flow chemistry and microreactor technologies have emerged as promising tools in
modern organic synthesis, mainly for several advantages over classical batch setup,
including sustainability [1–5]. However, after an initial skepticism of the synthetic
chemist community towards the use of flow devices, currently it is well recognized
that continuous flow technologies could help chemists to perform better synthesis
and also to explore new chemical windows [6, 7]. In addition, the development of
flow processes for the preparation of fine chemicals, active pharmaceutical ingredients, polymers, and complex substances, sharpen chemists’ wits so that techniques
enabling automation of chemical processes have been introduced [8–10]. Thus, a
brighter future is foreseen in the flow chemistry field as well as new challenges need
* Renzo Luisi
renzo.luisi@uniba.it
1
Department of Pharmacy, Drug Sciences, University of Bari “A. Moro”, FLAME-Lab-Flow
Chemistry and Microreactor Technology Laboratory, Via E. Orabona 4, 70125 Bari, Italy
29
Reprinted from the journal
Chapter 2 was originally published as Colella, M., Carlucci, C. & Luisi, R. Topics in Current Chemistry
.
(2018) 376: 46. https://doi.org/10.1007/s41061-018-0225-0
Topics in Current Chemistry (2018) 376:46
https://doi.org/10.1007/s41061-018-0225-0
1 3
REVIEW
Supported Catalysts for Continuous Flow Synthesis
Marco Colella
1
· Claudia Carlucci
1
· Renzo Luisi
1
Received: 21 August 2018 / Accepted: 15 November 2018 / Published online: 24 November 2018
© Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2018
Abstract
Flow chemistry and heterogenous catalysis hold incredible potential from a sustainability point of view and from a green perspective. In fact, if heterogenous catalysts
are required by the chemical industry for their efficiency, on the other hand, heterogenous flow catalysis would allow performing greener and more efficient chemistry
at an industrial level. In the context of sustainable flow chemistry, in this chapter we
report and discuss selected examples recently published in the specialized literature
on the use of supported organic and organometallic catalysts for continuous flow
synthesis. The use in chemo- and stereoselective synthesis, as well as versatility and
robustness of the newly developed supported catalysts are discussed.
Keywords Flow chemistry · Supported catalysts · Catalysis · Synthesis ·
Stereoselectivity · Continuous processing
1 Introduction
Flow chemistry and microreactor technologies have emerged as promising tools in
modern organic synthesis, mainly for several advantages over classical batch setup,
including sustainability [1–5]. However, after an initial skepticism of the synthetic
chemist community towards the use of flow devices, currently it is well recognized
that continuous flow technologies could help chemists to perform better synthesis
and also to explore new chemical windows [6, 7]. In addition, the development of
flow processes for the preparation of fine chemicals, active pharmaceutical ingredients, polymers, and complex substances, sharpen chemists’ wits so that techniques
enabling automation of chemical processes have been introduced [8–10]. Thus, a
brighter future is foreseen in the flow chemistry field as well as new challenges need
* Renzo Luisi
renzo.luisi@uniba.it
1
Department of Pharmacy, Drug Sciences, University of Bari “A. Moro”, FLAME-Lab-Flow
Chemistry and Microreactor Technology Laboratory, Via E. Orabona 4, 70125 Bari, Italy
29
Reprinted from the journal
Chapter 2 was originally published as Colella, M., Carlucci, C. & Luisi, R. Topics in Current Chemistry
.
(2018) 376: 46. https://doi.org/10.1007/s41061-018-0225-0