Introduction to continuous flow organic synthesis

Duration

15h Th, 10h Pr, 1d Vis.

Number of credits

Lecturer

Jean-Christophe Monbaliu

Language(s) of instruction

English language

Organisation and examination

Teaching in the first semester, review in January

Schedule

Schedule online

Units courses prerequisite and corequisite

Prerequisite or corequisite units are presented within each program

Learning unit contents

While batch chemistry has been used to process organic materials for centuries, increasing economic and environmental pressures have stimulated chemists to improve and rethink synthetic approaches and processes. Flow chemistry, i.e. chemistry in continuous micro- and mesostructured reactors, has emerged over the last few decades as an economically viable alternative to batch for a wide variety of synthetic applications. Besides, flow chemistry provides significant process enhancements as well as appealing opportunities: accurate control of reaction conditions, increased safety, ease for scale-up to larger production, high throughput and access to a wide range of conditions. The future of chemistry has arrived!
This course will benefit to students, researchers and professionals in chemistry who are interested in organic chemistry, pharmaceutical, fine chemical, R&D and manufacturing applications. Fundamental principles and technologies used in the continuous manufacturing of small organic molecules, as well as recent examples from the literature will be thoroughly discussed. Attendees will not only receive an extensive state-of-the-art overview, but will also be given a chance to manipulate equipment and design continuous flow synthetic routes.

• Lecture 1: Definitions and Concepts: Continuous-Flow Micro and Mesoreactors (2 h)
• Lecture 2: Chemical Engineering Principles for Continuous Flow Synthesis (2 h)
• Lecture 3: Continuous Flow Organic Synthesis (2 h)
• Lecture 4: Miscellaneous Applications (photochemistry, electrochemistry, polymerization and encapsulation) (3 h)
• Lecture 5: Downstream Operation and In-Line Analysis (2 h)
• Lecture 6: Industrial Applications of Continuous Flow Organic Chemistry (2 h)
• Lecture 7: Continuous Production of a Complex Target (2 h)

Learning outcomes of the learning unit

• Rethink organic synthesis within continuous flow micro- and mesoreactors;
• Enhance skills in organic synthesis: more control, more safety, much broader range of reaction conditions;
• Design and optimize multi-step continuous synthesis systems, including purification and in-line analysis;
• Understand basic concepts of reaction engineering;
• Get familiar with process development and intensification, manufacturing strategies.

Prerequisite knowledge and skills

Background in organic chemistry (Bachelor or/and Master in Chemistry)

Planned learning activities and teaching methods

• Lecture (70%): Delivery of material in a lecture format (open discussion); includes theoretical background and recent examples from the literature. Slides are available to the students Possibility of e-learning (online additional references and resources);
• Group work (10%): Participatory learning, lab preparation;
• Labs (10%): Demonstration and experiments;*
• Visit (10%): Visit of an industrial facility.*

Mode of delivery (face to face, distance learning, hybrid learning)

Delivery of material in a lecture format (open discussion); Possibility of e-learning (online additional references and resources).

Organisational adjustments related to the current health context

Recommended or required readings

• Micro Reaction Technology in Organic Synthesis, Charlotte Wiles and Paul Watts, CRC Press, Boca Raton, 2011 (ISBN: 978-1-4398-2471-9);
• Chemical Reactions and Processes under Flow Conditions, Santiago V. Luis and Eduardo Garcia-Verdugo, RSC Green Chemistry Series, 2009 (ISBN: 978-0-85404-192-3);
• Fundamentals of Heat and Mass Transfer (6th Edition), Frank P. Incropera, David P. DeWitt, Theodore L. Bergman and Adrienne S. Lavine, John Wiley & Sons, 2007 (ISBN: 978-0-471-45728-2);
• Fluid Mechanics: Fundamentals and Applications, Yunus A. Çengel and John M. Cimbala (2nd Edition), McGraw-Hill, 2010 (ISBN: 978-0-07-352926-4);
• Recent literature (appropriate references will be delivered to illustrate the lectures);
• Slides will be made available to the students. Additional resources are available online (eCampus).

Assessment methods and criteria

Below you will find information on the evaluation methods planned for in-person and remote exams as well as those planned for hybrid sessions. Depending on how the health crisis evolves, the chosen method will be communicated to you no later than one month before the start of the exam session.

The theoretical and practical competences will be assessed during an oral exam: the candidate will be asked to select a target (or a recent article) and to propose a practical continuous synthesis in micro- and mesoreactor. A written report (5 pages max.) summarizing the strategy and key concepts is also expected.  

Work placement(s)

In addition to the lectures, the visit of a microfabrication facility and a one-day lab experience are scheduled. Attendees will build their own microreactor and use it for the continuous synthesis of a complex target. These activities may be subject to change, and depend on feasibility and opportunity.

Organizational remarks

CHIM 9265-1 is taught in English. A hard copy of the slides will be available in class. Slides, references and other resources are available online (eCampus). The lectures and related activities will be organized during the second semester. 

Contacts

jc.monbaliu@ulg.ac.be (Jean-Christophe Monbaliu)

Items online