Rapid investigation of the effect of binary and ternary solvent gradient mixtures on reaction outcomes using a continuous flow system

In a continuous flow process, generating a gradient of solvent composition with time and monitoring of the reaction mixture as it leaves the reactor allows for rapid generation of reaction information against a full range of solvent mixture compositions. The methodology was developed by screening binary solvent mixtures in a S_NAr reaction in which previously reported effects were efficiently reproduced. Binary and ternary solvent gradients were then applied to an imine forming reaction revealing interesting non-linear effects.