What is Flash Chemistry

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. 

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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. 

Generation of highly reactive species is one of the key elements of flash chemistry, as was shown in Chapter 5. Another important element of flash chemistry is the control of extremely fast reactions of highly reactive species to obtain the desired products selectively. Selectivity of chemical reactions is often determined by kinetics. For extremely fast reactions, however, kinetics often cannot be used because of the lack of homogeneity of the reaction environment when they are conducted in macrobatch reactors, such as flasks. Therefore, such reactions are not controllable in conventional macrobatch reactors. In this chapter, we discuss in detail what kinds of problems are encountered in macrobatch reactors and how to solve such problems without slowing the reactions. 

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