Meso-scale microwave-assisted continuous flow reactions utilizing a selective heating matrix

Abstract

Convergence of two powerful synthetic tools, microwave heating and flow chemistry, is described herein. Utilizing a selectively heated, microwave absorbing material as part of a packed reactor bed, several chemistries such as N-Boc pyrolysis, Michael additions, and Diels–Alder cycloadditions were performed at elevated temperatures. Scale-up from microwave batch to flow was readily accomplished and results showed that flow greatly increased product output while maintaining high yields. Product quantities of over 150 grams per hour were synthesized in this manner.