Continuous-flow transfer hydrogenation of benzonitrile using formate as a safe and sustainable source of hydrogen †

The continuous catalytic transfer hydrogenation of benzonitrile to benzylamine is demonstrated using a palladium on carbon catalyst with triethylammonium formate as reducing agent. Solvent choice was critical in overcoming rapid catalyst deactivation. A 15-fold increase in catalyst productivity was observed in flow compared to batch, which was achieved using an ethanol–water solvent in combination with intermittent catalyst regeneration by washing with water

Continuous-flow transfer hydrogenation of benzonitrile using formate as a safe and sustainable source of hydrogen

The continuous catalytic transfer hydrogenation of benzonitrile to benzylamine is demonstrated using a palladium on carbon catalyst with triethylammonium formate as reducing agent. Solvent choice was critical in overcoming rapid catalyst deactivation. A 15-fold increase in catalyst productivity was observed in flow compared to batch, which was achieved using an ethanol–water solvent in combination with intermittent catalyst regeneration by washing with water

Oxidation of alcohols and aldehydes with peracetic acid and a Mn(II)/Pyridin‐2‐carboxylato catalyst: substrate and continuous flow studies

A homogeneous catalyst system, consisting of Mn(OAc)2 and 2‑picolinic acid was studied for alcohol oxidation using peracetic acid as the oxidant. Catalyst loadings as low as 0.01 mol% could be utilized and the system compared well to other peroxide based methods. The utilization of continuous flow allowed the fast, exothermic reactions to be carried out in a safe and scalable manner

Continuous flow epoxidation of alkenes using a homogeneous manganese catalyst with peracetic acid

Epoxidation of alkenes is a valuable transformation in the synthesis of fine chemicals. Described herein are the design and development of a continuous flow process for carrying out the epoxidation of alkenes with a homogeneous manganese catalyst at metal loadings as low as 0.05 mol%. In this process, peracetic acid is generated in situ and telescoped directly into the epoxidation reaction, thus reducing the risks associated with its handling and storage, which often limit its use at scale. This flow process lessens the safety hazards associated with both the exothermicity of this epoxidation reaction and the use of the highly reactive peracetic acid. Controlling the speciation of manganese/2-picolinic acid mixtures by varying the ligand:manganese ratio was key to the success of the reaction. This continuous flow process offers an inexpensive, sustainable, and scalable route to epoxides