Flow Chemistry Services

Flow Chemistry is the manufacture of compounds using a continuous process with automated pumps and specialized reactors. The reactants flow as solutions in these reactors, and mixing is completed in a fraction of a second rather than the much longer time frames associated with conventional batch processes. The reaction is finished when the solutions exit. Only a fraction of the total material used in API and custom synthesis reacts at any moment, and consequently reactor volume is minimized.

The high surface area to volume ratio in a small flow reactor allows for nearly instantaneous control over reaction temperatures, giving potentially cleaner products and increased reaction safety. Scale-up issues are minimized through the more consistent control of mixing and heat transfer throughout the reaction at any scale, even up to a tonne. Flow Chemistry also facilitates a faster change-over between the different custom synthesis projects.

Examples of Custom Chemical Synthesis in which Flow Chemistry might be the best option are:

• Reactions needing fast mixing for good selectivity


• Very exothermic or endothermic reactions


• Reactions requiring high pressures or temperatures


• Reactions with gas release
• Scale-up of micro-wave chemistry

Initial investigation and proof of concept of Custom Chemical Synthesis at Zentroclox is usually done on the milligram scale using a Chemtrix micro-reactor. A full experimental program, using very little material, to determine kinetics of the reaction and the effects of various operating conditions can usually be done in 1-3 days. When output of more than just a few milligrams of product is desired, the process is scaled-up using in-house flow reactors. Because of the nature of Flow Chemistry, there is minimal troubleshooting. Overall, Flow Chemistry allows Zentroclox to provide all of its clients with a more cost-effective, efficient and safer approach for API process development and custom synthesis.