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The FlowSyn Continuous Flow Reactor from Uniqsis (Cambridge, UK) now gives chemists the freedom to choose the FlowSyn system with the appropriate flow path material best suited to their particular chemistry.

Flow chemistry in micro-reactors has many advantages over batch processing - better reproducibility and scalability, improved yields and fewer problems with unstable intermediates or exothermic reactions - and the user can now choose a flow path a configuration that is most chemically compatible with the type of chemistry to be performed.

A limitation of existing flow reactors is attributable to the use of PEEK components in the flow path. This material is an excellent engineering polymer but has limited compatibility with concentrated mineral and organic acids and very strong organic bases) whereas Uniqsis fit specially modified high pressure pumps that do not contain PEEK.

A wider range of chemistries is now possible and the company claims to be the only flow reactor supplier offering this extensive range of chemical compatibility. Reactions requiring the use  of strong acids such as nitric acid (nitrations) or powerful organometallic bases such as butyl lithium (metallations) are now routinely possible in flow chemistry.

For many scientists the standard FlowSyn (PEEK and PTFE flowpath) offers a practical combination of high pressure capability and good chemical resistance.

In response to customer feedback Uniqsis have recently introduced a range of models compatible with a broader range of chemistries.

For the broadest chemical resistance, particularly to concentrated mineral acids, FlowSyn PTFE benefits from a flow path constructed entirely from PTFE, however this configuration can only withstand moderate pressures. 

Where high pressure operation is a prerequisite FlowSyn Steel has a flowpath constructed from permanently swaged 316S stainless steel tubing. This configuration affords safe operation up to 100 bar (1400psi) and chemical compatibility with strong acids such as concentrated sulphuric acid and TFA.

Upon special request, Uniqsis can also offer a customised version (FlowSyn Hastelloy) where the flowpath is constructed from Hastelloy this offers the optimal combination of chemical resistance combined with high pressure capability. 

Visit www.uniqsis.com or call +44 (0)845 864 7747 for more information.