Flash chemistry

It is important to propose new words for the developments in new fields of science and technology as Wittgenstein wrote in his book A new word is like a fresh seed thrown on the ground of the discussion . A Japanese poet, Toson Shimazaki, also wrote in the preface of his collection of poems A new word leads to a new life . Therefore, it seems useful and productive to introduce the expression flash chemistry . 

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Yoshida, J.-I. "Flash Chemistry. Fast Organic Synthesis in Microsystems". John Wiley Sons, Ltd., Chichester (2008). 

Challenging applications, such as the synthesis of P-peptides [30] or examples of flash chemistry (like the reaction of electrochemically generated reactive cation pools [31]) have been successfully realized using microreactors. 

Flash Chemistry Fast Organic Synthesis in Microsystems Jun-ichi Yoshida 2008 John Wiley Sons, Ltd. ISBN 978-0-470-03586-3... 

This book provides an outline of the concept of flash chemistry for conducting extremely fast reactions in a highly controlled manner using microflow systems. In the following chapters, we will discuss the background, the principles, and applications of flash chemistry. 

What is a chemical reaction How does it take place These questions are the most fundamental questions of chemistry, and they are the last to be solved. In order to deal with flash chemistry, however, let us begin with a consideration of such fundamental questions. 

The following chapters provide more details of flash chemistry and its applications in laboratory synthesis and industrial production. 

Flash Chemistry Fast Organic Synthesis in Microsystems Jun-ichi Yoshida... 

In Chapter 4, we will discuss why flash chemistry is necessary. In Chapter 5, methods for the activation of molecules for flash chemistry will be discussed, because highly reactive species should be generated in order to accomplish flash chemistry. In Chapter 6, the problems associated with conducting extremely fast reactions and solutions to such problems will be discussed. In order to accomplish flash chemistry a device or a system for conducting an extremely fast reaction is crucial. In Chapter 7, we will briefly touch on state-of-the-art technologies of microflow systems, which are essential for flash chemistry. In subsequent chapters, some applications of flash chemistry in organic synthesis and polymer synthesis will be demonstrated. 

However, another reason why flash chemistry is needed is that our way of synthesizing compounds is currently changing. For example, combinatorial synthesis of chemical libraries has become very popular in academia and industry and on-site, on-demand synthesis is expected to be popular in the future. These new trends in chemical synthesis increase the demand for flash chemistry. 

Not only probes containing radionuclides but also other very unstable compounds may be used as drugs in the clinical field using on-demand, onsite synthesis based on flash chemistry in the future. A drug is synthesized near a patient very quickly when it is required and is dosed to the patient as quickly as possible. If such a technique becomes possible, drugs of very short lifetimes can be used in the clinical field. Therefore, flash chemistry may change the approach to medical treatment. 

Based on the arguments described above, it is reasonable to conclude that the demand for fast reactions for chemical synthesis is increasing from the viewpoints of both laboratory research and industrial production. Rapid chemical synthesis may lead to new possibilities not only for chemistry but also for other fields, such as pharmacy and medicine. In the following chapters, we will discuss how flash chemistry can be realized in laboratory and industrial synthesis. 

In flash chemistry, extremely fast reactions are conducted in a highly controlled manner, and desired products are formed very quickly. Reaction times range from milliseconds to seconds. To accomplish such extremely fast reactions, we often need to activate molecules to make substrates with built-in high-energy content or prepare highly reactive reagents that react very quickly with substrates. There are several methods for activation, including thermal, photochemical, electrochemical, and chemical methods. In this chapter, we briefly survey these methods. 

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