3D‐Printed Polypropylene Continuous‐Flow Column Reactors: Exploration of Reactor Utility in SNAr Reactions and the Synthesis of Bicyclic and Tetracyclic Heterocycles

• Published in: European journal of organic chemistry Vol. 2017; no. 44; pp. 6499 - 6504
• Main Authors: Rao, Zenobia X., Patel, Bhaven, Monaco, Alessandra, Cao, Zi Jing, Barniol‐Xicota, Marta, Pichon, Enora, Ladlow, Mark, Hilton, Stephen T.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: WEINHEIM Wiley 01.12.2017; Wiley Subscription Services, Inc
• Subjects: 3D‐printing; Alkaloids; Aniline; Chemical reactions; Chemical synthesis; Chemistry; Chemistry, Organic; Complex compounds; Continuous flow; Corrosion resistance; Heterocycles; Heterocyclic compounds; Nucleophilic substitution; Physical Sciences; Polypropylene; Science & Technology; Synthetic methods; Three dimensional flow; Three dimensional printing; Heterocycles; ORGANIC-CHEMISTRY; BULBS; 3D-printing; LYCORIS-RADIATA; Continuous flow; EGFR; CELL LUNG-CANCER; SPECTROSCOPY; DEVICES; Synthetic methods; CHEMICAL-SYNTHESIS; OPTIMIZATION; Nucleophilic substitution; ALKALOIDS
• ISSN: 1434-193X; 1099-0690
• DOI: 10.1002/ejoc.201701111

3D printing has the potential to transform the way in which chemical reactions are carried out due to its low‐cost, ease‐of‐use as a technology and its capacity to expedite the development of iteratively enhanced prototypes. In this present study, we developed a novel, low‐cost polypropylene (PP) column reactor that was incorporated into an existing continuous‐flow reactor for the synthesis of heterocycles. The utility and solvent resistance of the printed devices were explored in SNAr reactions to produce substituted aniline derivatives and in the synthesis of bicyclic and tetracyclic heterocycles. Using this approach, a range of heterocyclic compounds was synthesised including the core structure of the natural product (±)‐γ‐lycorane and structurally complex compounds based on the tetracyclic core of the erythrina alkaloids. Low‐cost inert polypropylene (PP) continuous‐flow reactors were designed and 3D‐printed for use in a FlowSyn continuous‐flow reactor. Reactor utility was explored in reactions ranging from SNAr reactions to formation of complex heterocycles. It was shown that they are an inexpensive source of reactors for continuous flow, facilitating the synthesis of a range of heterocycles.