Continuous flow reactors, a tool for the modern synthetic chemist

The competitive nature of the chemical industry means that researchers involved in product development and lead compound generation are under continued pressure to identify, and develop, promising programmes of research in order to secure vital intellectual property. The potential of a compound, however, depends not only on structural complexity, but also on the ability to prepare the compound via a scalable synthetic pathway. Consequently, micro reaction and continuous flow technologies have captured the attention of the modern synthetic chemist as they enable reactions to be performed with an unprecedented level of control, affording excellent transferability between laboratory based investigations and subsequent production scales. With these features in mind, this Microreview focuses on recent developments made in the field of micro reaction technology, highlighting the advantages associated with its use through the synthesis of a diverse array of molecules. ((C) Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2008).