The automation of chemical synthesis with the resulting savings in time and materials and reduction in the use of environmentally harmful chemicals has been the goal of many academic and industrial chemists for a long time. Over recent years the application of flow devices in laboratories has been gaining acceptance with increased sophistication in their control and ease of use. The advantages that flow devices bring are many, for example: easier scale up, better and precise control of reaction conditions, better mixing, easier handling of unstable intermediates, in-system purification. An important field of research is the optimization and adaptation of known reactions and reaction sequences for use in flow systems. Continuous-flow processes can be further improved by techniques that use immobilized reagents or catalysts, or by using fixed bed reactors in parallel. These developments in flow techniques using mini and micro flow reactors have initiated changes that will pave the way for a technological step forward in chemical synthesis.

See also the Thematic Series:
Chemistry in flow systems III
Chemistry in flow systems II