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Photochemical Transformations Accelerated in Continuous‐Flow Reactors: Basic Concepts and Applications
Author(s) -
Su Yuanhai,
Straathof Natan J. W.,
Hessel Volker,
Noël Timothy
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
chemistry – a european journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.687
H-Index - 242
eISSN - 1521-3765
pISSN - 0947-6539
DOI - 10.1002/chem.201400283
Subject(s) - microreactor , continuous flow , flow chemistry , process (computing) , process engineering , flow (mathematics) , reactor design , chemistry , nanotechnology , biochemical engineering , photochemistry , computer science , materials science , physics , catalysis , mechanics , organic chemistry , nuclear engineering , engineering , operating system
Continuous‐flow photochemistry is used increasingly by researchers in academia and industry to facilitate photochemical processes and their subsequent scale‐up. However, without detailed knowledge concerning the engineering aspects of photochemistry, it can be quite challenging to develop a suitable photochemical microreactor for a given reaction. In this review, we provide an up‐to‐date overview of both technological and chemical aspects associated with photochemical processes in microreactors. Important design considerations, such as light sources, material selection, and solvent constraints are discussed. In addition, a detailed description of photon and mass‐transfer phenomena in microreactors is made and fundamental principles are deduced for making a judicious choice for a suitable photomicroreactor. The advantages of microreactor technology for photochemistry are described for UV and visible‐light driven photochemical processes and are compared with their batch counterparts. In addition, different scale‐up strategies and limitations of continuous‐flow microreactors are discussed.