The PhotoFlexys: A Multi-Purpose Reactor Platform to Simplify Process Intensification and Mechanistic Studies in Photochemistry

Abstract

Reactor technology plays a vital role in photochemistry since process efficiency and reproducibility largely depend on the used reactor design. Considering the diverse requirements for photochemical reactions, we have developed a multi-purpose reactor platform that aims for an equally efficient implementation of photochemical reactions under batch and continuous flow conditions. Interchangeable irradiation units and reactor functionalities reduce the necessary equipment for running photochemical reactions to a minimum. The versatility of the reactor platform has been tested on a variety of benchmark reactions under batch, multi-batch and continuous flow conditions. Uniting the strengths of the photoreactor platform with an in-situ monitoring approach permitted reliable kinetic and mechanistic studies.