Development of a C-H Acylation Reaction in Batch and in Flow

Swanson, Rachel

Student Work

Development of a C-H Acylation Reaction in Batch and in Flow

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This project investigates C(sp3)-H functionalization for the direct formation of a ketone functional group in both adaptations in batch and flow chemistry. This is a newly developed mechanism to turn chemicals derived from petroleum, hydrocarbons, into more useful compounds, ketones, to extend their potential for chemical transformation. This reaction uses photochemistry to begin the reaction and more specifically, relies on blue light at an optimal wavelength of 440 nm. Through optimizing conditions such as amounts of reagents and wavelengths of light, this reaction has achieved approximately a 40% product yield in batch. This reaction was adapted from a batch reaction in test tubes to a small-scale flow system in order to take advantage of the efficiency of flow chemistry and further investigate the kinetics of the reaction. In flow, an 8% product yield was demonstrated over a 15-minute residence time.

This report represents the work of one or more WPI undergraduate students submitted to the faculty as evidence of completion of a degree requirement. WPI routinely publishes these reports on its website without editorial or peer review.

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