Heuristics, Protocol, and Considerations for Flow Chemistry in Photoredox Catalysis

Heuristics for employing photoredox catalysts in coiled-tube LED reactors for flow chemistry are presented. These heuristics focus on common reaction parameters (for example, reagent concentration, tube diameter and light intensity) designed to encompass as many photoredox systems as possible. A chemical actinometer based on a common photocatalyst, [Ru(bpy)(3)Cl-2], is used to determine how each parameter affects the observed rate of reaction and the photon flux received in the reactor. These heuristics are then demonstrated using a photoredox reaction to see if they accurately predict flow reaction conditions that correspond to increased rates of reaction.