High-Shear Enhancement of Biginelli Reactions in Macromolecular Viscous Media

Chemical reactions and transformations in non-traditional vessels have gained significant interest in recent years. Flow chemistry, with its advantages in mixing, mass transfer, scalability, and automation, is a driving force behind this paradigm shift. In particular, the Vortex Fluidic Device (VFD) has emerged as a versatile tool across various applications, from organic synthesis to materials science. In this study, the role of the VFD in performing the Biginelli reaction, a multicomponent reaction widely used in pharmaceutical and polymer science, for a post-polymerization modification is explored. By conducting the Biginelli reaction in the VFD, rapid product formation with low catalyst loading and without the need for high temperatures is achieved. However, the critical need to understand and know solution viscosity, especially within the context of modifying macromolecules is highlighted. Biginelli reactions are important multicomponent reactions in macromolecular chemistry. it is demonstrated that by using the vortex fluidic device (VFD) Biginelli reactions can be completed at room temperature in just 1 h. However, the critical need to understand solution viscosity as a function of macromolecular chain length to better understand polymer modifications within the VFD is highlighted. image