Tetrabutylammonium decatungstate (TBADT) has emerged as an efficient and versatile photocatalyst for hydrogen atom transfer (HAT) processes that enables the cleavage of both activated and unactivated aliphatic C–H bonds. 

Using a recently developed oscillatory millistructured continuous-flow photoreactor, investigations of a decatungstate-catalyzed C(sp3)–H alkylation protocol were carried out, and the results are presented here. The performance of the reactor was evaluated in correlation to several chemical and process parameters, including residence time, light intensity, catalyst loading, and substrate/reagent concentration. In comparison with previously reported batch and flow protocols, conditions were found that led to considerably higher productivity, achieving a throughput up to 36.7 mmol/h with a residence time of only 7.5 min.

Image: Wen, Z.; Maheshwari, A.; Sambiagio, C.; Deng, Y.; Laudadio, G.; van Aken, K.; Sun, Y.; Gemoets, H. P. L.; Noël, T. Org. Process Res. Dev. 2020, 24 (10), 2356–2361.