Esterification of benzoic acid in a continuous flow microwave reactor

Impact of Microwaves on Organic Synthesis and Strategies toward Flow Processes and Scaling Up

Microwave-assisted organic synthesis has been widely studied and deliberated, opening up some controversial issues as well. Nowadays, microwave chemistry is a mature technology that has been well demonstrated in many cases with numerous advantages in terms of the reaction rate and yield. The strategies toward scaling up find an ally in continuous-flow reactor technology comparing dielectric and conductive heating.

Study on the Microwave-Assisted Batch and Continuous Flow Synthesis of N-Alkyl-Isoindolin-1-One-3-Phosphonates by a Special Kabachnik-Fields Condensation

A simple and efficient microwave (MW)-assisted method was elaborated for the catalyst-free synthesis of isoindolin-1-one-3-phosphonates by the three-component condensation of 2-formylbenzoic acid, aliphatic primary amines and various dialkyl phosphites. The batch and the continuous flow reactions were optimized in respect of the temperature, the reaction time and the molar ratio of the starting materials. To evaluate the potential of MW irradiation, comparative thermal experiments were also carried out. In order to obtain “real time” information about the condensation, the special Kabachnik–Fields reaction of 2-formylbenzoic acid, butylamine and diethyl phosphite was monitored by in situ FT-IR spectroscopy. The novel title compounds could be prepared in high yields at low temperature under a short reaction time. A suitable method could also be developed for the preparation of the isoindolin-1-one-3-phosphonates at a “few g” scale by using a continuous flow MW reactor.

Continuous Flow Esterification of a H-Phosphinic Acid, and Transesterification of H-phosphinates and H-Phosphonates under Microwave Conditions

The microwave (MW)-assisted direct esterification of phenyl-H-phosphinic acid, transesterification of the alkyl phenyl-H-phosphinates so obtained, and the similar reaction of dibenzyl phosphite (DBP) were investigated in detail, and the batch accomplishments were translated into a continuous flow operation that, after optimization of the parameters, such as temperature and flow rate, proved to be more productive. Alcoholysis of DBP is a two-step process involving an intermediate phosphite with two different alkoxy groups. The latter species are of synthetic interest, as precursors for optically active reagents.

Application of the Microwave Technique in Continuous Flow Processing of Organophosphorus Chemical Reactions

The microwave (MW) technique is an efficient tool in the realization of organic reactions, as well as in the analytical field and in the food industry. The continuous flow approach is of special interest as a promising way to scale-up MW-assisted syntheses. Besides summarizing the batch precedents, this review focuses on the utilization of the MW technique in the continuous-flow realization of organophosphorus transformations. The advantages of the continuous flow technique against the batch accomplishment are also shown. A few materials chemistry-related applications are also mentioned.

Continuous flow synthesis of α-aryl-α-aminophosphonates

The synthesis of α-aryl-α-aminophosphonates was performed by the three-component Kabachnik-Fields reaction of primary amines, benzaldehyde derivatives and dialkyl phosphites in a continuous flow microwave reactor. The target compounds could be obtained in high (~90%) yields without any catalyst in simple alcohols as the solvent. The flow process elaborated required shorter reaction times and lower excess of the reagent, as compared to the “traditional” batch reactions, and allowed the synthesis of the α-aminophosphonates on a somewhat larger scale.

Continuous Flow Alcoholysis of Dialkyl H-Phosphonates with Aliphatic Alcohols

The continuous flow alcoholysis of dialkyl H-phosphonates by aliphatic alcohols in the absence of a catalyst was elaborated using a microwave (MW) reactor equipped with a flow cell. By the precise control of the reaction conditions, the synthesis could be fine-tuned towards dialkyl H-phosphonates with two different and with two identical alkyl groups. In contrast to the "traditional" batch alcoholysis, flow approaches required shorter reaction times, and the products became available at a larger scale.