December 2012: A new application note from Vapourtec describes the use of the Vapourtec R-Series High-Pressure pump module for running continuous flow reactions under solvent free (neat) conditions and pumping liquefied gases at pressures necessary for high reaction temperatures. These higher temperature and pressure conditions enable solvent-free uncatalysed amination of 2-chloropyridine with dimethylamine in high throughput (30 grams / hour).
The new High-Pressure Pump module from Vapourtec allows the R-Series systems to reach up to 200 bar, but has all the functionality of Vapourtec’s standard pump modules (including full integration with the powerful FlowCommander software) and can also be added to an existing two pump system for increased capability.
In continuous flow chemistry the reaction temperature is limited by the boiling point of the solvents and reagents. Increased pressure leads to increased boiling point, opening up opportunities for new reaction methodologies. For example operating at high temperatures may eliminate the requirement for a catalyst, reducing cost, environmental impact and simplifying reaction work up. At 250 C the vapour pressure of ethanol, methanol and dimethylamine are; 66 bar, 88 bar and 150 bar respectively.
Flow reactors can be safely run at such high pressures. Unlike traditional batch or microwave reactors, they contain no compressible gaseous headspace, and a very small reaction inventory compared to the batch size. Maintaining all reagents in the liquid phase ensures precise control over reaction stoichiometry even when using volatile reagents like dimethylamine. In addition to raising the reaction temperature above a solvent’s boiling point, the Vapourtec High Pressure Pump Module’s capability is advantageous in applications where reactor backpressures may be significant, such as ionic liquid synthesis, polymer synthesis or in reactions using microbore reactors to achieve a combination of rapid mixing and excellent heat transfer.
The new application note is available at
Display Link www.vapourtec.co.uk or by e-mailing [email protected]
Click through link www.vapourtec.co.uk/applications/appnotes?s=vbr01&ch=<somecodetotrackwhichpublication>
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