The use of photochemical processes for industrial application is very limited and these reactions hardly express their full synthetic potential. In the aim of developing processes suitable for large scale syntheses, our laboratory is revising and optimizing a number of reaction protocols in view to ameliorate their environmental performance.

Thus, we are focusing our attention on the use of flow conditions and on the replacement of artificial light sources (multi-lamp apparatus or immersion well) with direct sunlight or with a suitable simulator. In both cases, preliminary experiments allowed us to devise simple gram scale syntheses of valuable compounds.

Future developments

Recently, we became interested in the use of low power consumption light sources (such as LEDs) and in the design of photochemical microreactors.

References

1. Protti, S.; Ravelli, D.; Fagnoni, M.; Albini, A. “Solar light-driven photocatalyzed alkylations. Chemistry on the window ledge” Chem. Commun. 2009, 7351-7353. DOI: 10.1039/B917732A
2. Dondi, D.; Protti, S.; Albini, A.; Mañas Carpio, S.; Fagnoni, M. “Synthesis of γ-lactols, γ-lactones and 1,4-monoprotected succinaldehydes under moderately concentrated sunlight” Green Chem. 2009, 11, 1653-1659. DOI: 10.1039/B904427B