A Machine‐Assisted Flow Synthesis of SR48692: A Probe for the Investigation of Neurotensin Receptor‐1

Here we report the direct comparison of a conventional batch mode synthesis of Meclinertant (SR48692, 1 ), a neurotensin receptor‐1 antagonist, with its machine‐assisted flow chemistry alternative. By using these enabling tools, combined with solid‐supported reagents and scavengers, many process advantages were observed. Care, however, must be taken not to convert these techniques into expensive solutions to problems that do not exist.     

Continuous Flow Organic Synthesis under High‐Temperature/Pressure Conditions

Microreactor technology and continuous flow processing in general are key features in making organic synthesis both more economical and environmentally friendly. When preformed under a high‐temperature/pressure process intensification regime many transformations originally not considered suitable for flow synthesis owing to long reaction times can be converted into high‐speed flow chemistry protocols that can operate at production‐scale quantities. This Focus Review summarizes the state of the art in high‐temperature/pressure microreactor technology and provides a survey of successful applications of this technique from the recent synthetic organic chemistry literature.     

Total Synthesis of Glipizide and Glibenclamide in Continuous Flow

Glipizide and glibenclamide remain some of the widely prescribed antidiabetic sulfonylurea drugs for the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus. Herein the authors report on an isocyanate-free synthetic procedure towards the preparation of these on demand drugs at multigram scale using continuous flow technology. The safety concern over the use of isocyanates in most of the existing synthetic routes was dealt with in this present work by using N-carbamates synthesised in situ from activation of amines with chloroformates as safer alternatives. An overall yield of 80–85 % was obtained for the semi-telescoped steps within 10 min total residence time.     

Photochemical Synthesis of the Bioactive Fragment of Salbutamol and Derivatives in a Self-Optimizing Flow Chemistry Platform

The implementation of self-optimizing flow reactors has been mostly limited to model reactions or known synthesis routes. In this work, a self-optimizing flow photochemistry platform is used to develop an original synthesis of the bioactive fragment of Salbutamol and derivatives. The key photochemical steps for the construction of the aryl vicinyl amino alcohol moiety consist of a C−C bond forming reaction followed by an unprecedented, high yielding (>80 %), benzylic oxidative cyclization.     

Rapid Vortex Fluidics: Continuous Flow Synthesis of Amides and Local Anesthetic Lidocaine

Thin film flow chemistry using a vortex fluidic device (VFD) is effective in the scalable acylation of amines under shear, with the yields of the amides dramatically enhanced relative to traditional batch techniques. The optimized monophasic flow conditions are effective in ≤80 seconds at room temperature, enabling access to structurally diverse amides, functionalized amino acids and substituted ureas on multigram scales. Amide synthesis under flow was also extended to a total synthesis of local anesthetic lidocaine, with sequential reactions carried out in two serially linked VFD units. The synthesis could also be executed in a single VFD, in which the tandem reactions involve reagent delivery at different positions along the rapidly rotating tube with in situ solvent replacement, as a molecular assembly line process. This further highlights the versatility of the VFD in organic synthesis, as does the finding of a remarkably efficient debenzylation of p‐methoxybenzyl amines.     

Flow “Fine” Synthesis: High Yielding and Selective Organic Synthesis by Flow Methods

The concept of flow “fine” synthesis, that is, high yielding and selective organic synthesis by flow methods, is described. Some examples of flow “fine” synthesis of natural products and APIs are discussed. Flow methods have several advantages over batch methods in terms of environmental compatibility, efficiency, and safety. However, synthesis by flow methods is more difficult than synthesis by batch methods. Indeed, it has been considered that synthesis by flow methods can be applicable for the production of simple gasses but that it is difficult to apply to the synthesis of complex molecules such as natural products and APIs. Therefore, organic synthesis of such complex molecules has been conducted by batch methods. On the other hand, syntheses and reactions that attain high yields and high selectivities by flow methods are increasingly reported. Flow methods are leading candidates for the next generation of manufacturing methods that can mitigate environmental concerns toward sustainable society.     

Platform synthesis: A useful strategy for rapid and systematic generation of molecular diversity

Emergence of library-based approaches have changed the way of developing new functional molecules in materials science and pharmaceutical science. Therefore, reliable methods for rapid and systematic generation of functional molecules are highly called for in this field. We herein describe our concept of "platform synthesis" as a useful strategy for generating molecular diversity. This simple yet powerful strategy realizes the synthesis of a number of interesting multifunctional molecules, such as multisubstituted olefins, in a programmable and diversity-oriented format. As well as applications to the synthesis of pharmaceutically important molecules, such as tamoxifen and CDP840, applications to materials science, which have led to the discovery of interesting fluorescent materials and properties, are also described.     

Batch Versus Flow Lithiation–Substitution of 1,3,4-Oxadiazoles: Exploitation of Unstable Intermediates Using Flow Chemistry

1,3,4-Oxadiazoles are a common motif in pharmaceutical chemistry, but few convenient methods for their modification exist. A fast, convenient, high yielding and general α-substitution of 1,3,4-oxadiazoles has been developed using a metalation-electrophilic trapping protocol both in batch and under continuous flow conditions in contradiction to previous reports which suggest that α-metalation of this ring system results in ring fragmentation. In batch, lithiation is accomplished at an industrially convenient temperature, −30 °C, with subsequent trapping giving isolated yields of up to 91 %. Under continuous flow conditions, metalation is carried out at room temperature, and subsequent in flow electrophilic trapping gave up to quantitative isolated yields. Notably, lithiation in batch at room temperature results only in ring fragmentation and we propose that the superior mixing in flow allows interception and exploitation of an unstable intermediate before decomposition can occur.     

Overcoming the limitations of lithiation chemistry for organoboron compounds with continuous processing

Quite a process: Recent pioneering reports establishing proof of concept for conducting lithiation chemistry to produce organoboron products in a continuous fashion are highlighted.     

Controlled microwave heating in modern organic synthesis

Although fire is now rarely used in synthetic chemistry, it was not until Robert Bunsen invented the burner in 1855 that the energy from this heat source could be applied to a reaction vessel in a focused manner. The Bunsen burner was later superseded by the isomantle, oil bath, or hot plate as a source for applying heat to a chemical reaction. In the past few years, heating and driving chemical reactions by microwave energy has been an increasingly popular theme in the scientific community. This nonclassical heating technique is slowly moving from a laboratory curiosity to an established technique that is heavily used in both academia and industry. The efficiency of "microwave flash heating" in dramatically reducing reaction times (from days and hours to minutes and seconds) is just one of the many advantages. This Review highlights recent applications of controlled microwave heating in modern organic synthesis, and discusses some of the underlying phenomena and issues involved.     

The microwave-to-flow paradigm: translating high-temperature batch microwave chemistry to scalable continuous-flow processes

The popularity of dedicated microwave reactors in many academic and industrial laboratories has produced a plethora of synthetic protocols that are based on this enabling technology. In the majority of examples, transformations that require several hours when performed using conventional heating under reflux conditions reach completion in a few minutes or even seconds in sealed-vessel, autoclave-type, microwave reactors. However, one severe drawback of microwave chemistry is the difficulty in scaling this technology to a production-scale level. This Concept article demonstrates that this limitation can be overcome by translating batch microwave chemistry to scalable continuous-flow processes. For this purpose, conventionally heated micro- or mesofluidic flow devices fitted with a back-pressure regulator are employed, in which the high temperatures and pressures attainable in a sealed-vessel microwave chemistry batch experiment can be mimicked.     

Investigation of a Lithium–Halogen Exchange Flow Process for the Preparation of Boronates by Using a Cryo‐Flow Reactor

Conducting low‐temperature organometallic reactions under continuous flow conditions offers the potential to more accurately control exotherms and thus provide more reproducible and scalable processes. Herein, progress towards this goal with regards to the lithium–halogen exchange/borylation reaction is reported. In addition to improving the scope of substrates available on a research scale, methods to improve reaction profiles and expedite purification of the products are also described. On moving to a continuous system, thermocouple measurements have been used to track exotherms and provide a level of safety for continuous processing of organometallic reagents. The use of an in‐line continuous liquid–liquid separation device to circumvent labour intensive downstream off‐line processing is also reported.     

Use of a “Catalytic” Cosolvent,N,N‐Dimethyl Octanamide,Allows the Flow Synthesis of Imatinib with no Solvent Switch

A general, efficient method for C?N cross‐coupling has been developed using N,N‐dimethyloctanamide as a catalytic cosolvent for biphasic continuous‐flow applications. The described method was used to generate a variety of biarylamines and was integrated into a two‐step sequence which converted phenols into biarylamines via either triflates or tosylates. Additionally, the method was applied to a three‐step synthesis of imatinib, the API of Gleevec, in good yield without the need of solvent switches.     

Continuous‐Flow Synthesis of Biaryls by Negishi Cross‐Coupling of Fluoro‐ and Trifluoromethyl‐Substituted (Hetero)arenes

A continuous‐flow method for the regioselective arylation of fluoroarenes and fluoropyridines has been developed. The telescoped procedure reported here consists of a three‐step metalation, zincation, and Negishi cross‐coupling sequence, providing efficient access to a variety of functionalized 2‐fluorobiaryl products. Precise temperature control of the metalation step, made possible by continuous‐flow technology, allowed for the efficient preparation of the arylated products in high yields and short residence times. Additionally, several examples of the regioselective arylation of benzotrifluoride derivatives are also provided.     

Calcium Carbide: A Unique Reagent for Organic Synthesis and Nanotechnology

Acetylene, HC≡CH, is one of the primary building blocks in synthetic organic and industrial chemistry. Several highly valuable processes have been developed based on this simplest alkyne and the development of acetylene chemistry has had a paramount impact on chemical science over the last few decades. However, in spite of numerous useful possible reactions, the application of gaseous acetylene in everyday research practice is rather limited. Moreover, the practical implementation of high‐pressure acetylene chemistry can be very challenging, owing to the risk of explosion and the requirement for complex equipment; special safety precautions need to be taken to store and handle acetylene under high pressure, which limit its routine use in a standard laboratory setup. Amazingly, recent studies have revealed that calcium carbide, CaC₂, can be used as an easy‐to‐handle and efficient source of acetylene for in situ chemical transformations. Thus, calcium carbide is a stable and inexpensive acetylene precursor that is available on the ton scale and it can be handled with standard laboratory equipment. The application of calcium carbide in organic synthesis will bring a new dimension to the powerful acetylene chemistry.     

Continuous Flow Reduction of Artemisinic Acid Utilizing Multi‐Injection Strategies—Closing the Gap Towards a Fully Continuous Synthesis of Antimalarial Drugs

One of the rare alternative reagents for the reduction of carbon–carbon double bonds is diimide (HN?NH), which can be generated in situ from hydrazine hydrate (N₂H₄ ? H₂O) and O₂. Although this selective method is extremely clean and powerful, it is rarely used, as the rate‐determining oxidation of hydrazine in the absence of a catalyst is relatively slow using conventional batch protocols. A continuous high‐temperature/high‐pressure methodology dramatically enhances the initial oxidation step, at the same time allowing for a safe and scalable processing of the hazardous reaction mixture. Simple alkenes can be selectively reduced within 10–20 min at 100–120 °C and 20 bar O₂ pressure. The development of a multi‐injection reactor platform for the periodic addition of N₂H₄ ? H₂O enables the reduction of less reactive olefins even at lower reaction temperatures. This concept was utilized for the highly selective reduction of artemisinic acid to dihydroartemisinic acid, the precursor molecule for the semisynthesis of the antimalarial drug artemisinin. The industrially relevant reduction was achieved by using four consecutive liquid feeds (of N₂H₄ ? H₂O) and residence time units resulting in a highly selective reduction within approximately 40 min at 60 °C and 20 bar O₂ pressure, providing dihydroartemisinic acid in ≥93 % yield and ≥95 % selectivity.     

Rise of the Robots

High-throughput experimentation (HTE) is a growing, enabling technology that allows the execution of large, parallel sets of experiments. Often, automation is required to dose compounds on milligram to sub-milligram scale, to run many parallel reactions, and to analyse large datasets. Unique approaches to screen design, implementation, and analysis are required, distinct from traditional synthetic organic chemistry. The discipline also presents a profitable opportunity for individual scientists to learn about and explore fields adjacent to chemistry, including data science, robotics and equipment engineering, and computer programming. This perspective presents the author's viewpoints on the field of HTE, its implementation within a chemistry career, and the automated future of organic chemistry technology.