Flow chemistry in the multi-step synthesis of natural products

The total synthesis of natural products is constantly facing many challenges derived from the complexed chemical structures, the lengthy synthetic routes, the time-consuming workup procedures and the large environmental footprint. In the past two decades, performing chemical transformations in continuous flow using various types of microreactors and in-line auxiliary technologies have been demonstrated effectively in respects of enhanced reaction yield and selectivity, excellent reproducibility and easy scale-up, safe proceeding hazardous reaction. And the rapid synthesis of natural products, which has been enabled in continuous flow based upon the significant improvement of overall yield within a short residence time via processing intensification and systematic automation, is essential to furnish sufficient quantity for the bioactivity investigation of structural diversity modification, structure-activity relationship during drug discovery and the increasing consumption of medical treatment. In this review, the multi-step continuous flow synthesis of natural products is highlighted to provide a comprehensive recognization on the intrinsic merits of flow chemistry for organic chemists to purposefully develop the flow synthetic approaches of natural products in the future.

Automated summary

This article highlights the importance and advantages of using continuous flow reactors and online auxiliary technologies for the total synthesis of natural products.