Enabling technologies-assisted stereoselective organic synthesis

Continuous-flow systems have emerged as a powerful technology for performing chemical transformations and have recently attracted attention also for the preparation of chiral APIs (active pharmaceutical ingredients).[1] On the other hand, 3D-printing technology allows chemists to build devices with high precision and well-defined architecture. [2] The combination of these two only partially explored technologies in stereoselective organic synthesis opens new and intriguing possibilities; the fabrication of ad hoc designed reactors and other devices, to perform at best different reactions becomes now feasible and gives new impulse to the use of enabling technologies in the synthesis of complex molecules.[3] Recently developed technology-assisted stereoselective reactions will be discussed, including reactions of nitroacrylates under MW irradiation and organocatalyzed reactions in alternative reaction media (Deep Eutectic Solvents).[4] Some stereoselective transformations have been performed in chiral organocatalytic reactors (packed-bed and monolithic) under continuous flow conditions. Recent developments will be presented, highlighting also the possibility to perform organocatalytic reactions in (micro)-mesoreactors and to synthesize in flow-mode chiral intermediates of pharmaceutical interest. Preliminary results of stereoselective catalytic reactions in 3D-printed reactors will be also briefly highlighted.[5]