Reductive aminations using a 3D printed supported metal(0) catalyst system

Additively manufactured catalytic static mixers were used for the intensified reductive amination of aldehydes and ketones inside a continuous flow reactor. This efficient synthesis method is enabled by the use of tubular reactors fitted with 3D printed metal static mixers which are coated with a catalytically active layer, either Pd or Ni. The 3D printing process allows for maximum design flexibility for the mixer scaffold and is compatible with a range of deposition methods including electroplating and metal cold spraying. Single- and multi-stage continuous flow processing yielded high to full conversion and has the potential to scale-up these operations without the need for manual handling of reactive imine intermediates.