Ruthenium polypyridyl complex-catalysed aryl alkoxylation of styrenes: improving reactivity using a continuous flow photo-microreactor

Abstract

Previously, we reported the ruthenium polypyridyl complex-catalysed aryl alkoxylation reaction of styrenes with aryldiazonium salts. In the developed reaction course, the instability of the diazonium salts caused poor product yields. In this context, we focused on the use of a continuous flow photo microreactor as a way to improve the efficacy of the aryl alkoxylation reaction. In this report, we describe an improved protocol for the aryl alkoxylation of styrenes catalysed by a ruthenium polypyridyl complex that relies on the use of a continuous flow photo microreactor.