Flow chemistry, when compared to a traditional batch reaction, can provide greater control of a reaction. Our lab has developed an aldol-epoxidation reaction (Figure 1) which builds molecular complexity stereoselectively. The reaction was initially performed under batch conditions; however, the batch process didn’t allow for scaling up of the reaction to provide gram quantities of the product. We are now investigating a flow process using an HPLC to ensure consistency in proportions of reactants. The flow process has provided more than 2 grams of the epoxide. The HPLC allows us to run an array of experiments, controlling parameters such as flow rate, tubing diameter and length, and temperature, to determine the ideal experimental conditions for the aldol-epoxidation reaction. TLC and HNMR are used to assess the progress of the reaction. We are able to take out samples as the reaction mixture moves through the tubing, which we can use to measure kinetic data for the reaction. We will report our progress in improving this flow process.

Developing a flow process for a stereoselective aldol-spoxidation reaction

255th National Meeting (2018)

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