Microwave-assisted continuous flow synthesis on industrial scale

Abstract

A continuous flow microwave system based on a transmission line short-circuited waveguide reactor concept is described. The continuous flow reactor is capable of operating in a genuine high-temperature/high-pressure process window (310°C/60 bar), applying a microwave transparent and chemical resistant cylindrical γ-Al2O3 tube as reaction zone. The system can be operated in an extremely energy efficient manner, utilizing 0.6–6 kW microwave power (2.45 GHz). The application of the reactor for processing four chemical transformations in a high-temperature/high-pressure regime with a throughout of 3.5–6.0 l/h is demonstrated.

Keywords

• continuous flow chemistry
• high-temperature/high-pressure process windows
• microwave chemistry
• process intensification