Microchemical systems for continuous-flow synthesis

TLDR

Microchemical systems have rapidly evolved over the last decade, enabling discovery and development of synthetic routes while enhancing understanding of pathways and kinetics. The review aims to examine basic trends and aspects of microsystems in continuous‑flow microchemical synthesis. The authors summarize key literature reviews, discuss governing principles, and delineate current trends and limitations in microfabrication, micromixing, synthesis, separations, multi‑step synthesis, and analytics integration. They conclude by summarizing major challenges and outlook related to these topics.

Abstract

Microchemical systems have evolved rapidly over the last decade with extensive chemistry applications. Such systems enable discovery and development of synthetic routes while simultaneously providing increased understanding of underlying pathways and kinetics. We review basic trends and aspects of microsystems as they relate to continuous-flow microchemical synthesis. Key literature reviews are summarized and principles governing different microchemical operations discussed. Current trends and limitations of microfabrication, micromixing, chemical synthesis in microreactors, continuous-flow separations, multi-step synthesis, and integration of analytics are delineated. We conclude by summarizing the major challenges and outlook related to these topics.