Flow photochemistry: Old light through new windows

Beilstein J Org Chem. 2012:8:2025-52. doi: 10.3762/bjoc.8.229. Epub 2012 Nov 21.

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.