Flow photochemistry: Old light through new windows

Abstract

Synthetic photochemistry carried out in classic batch reactors has, for over half a century, proved to be a powerful but under-utilised technique in general organic synthesis. Recent developments in flow photochemistry have the potential to allow this technique to be applied in a more mainstream setting. This review highlights the use of flow reactors in organic photochemistry, allowing a comparison of the various reactor types to be made.

Keywords

• cycloaddition
• flow chemistry
• photocatalysis
• photochemistry
• photooxygenation