Different electrochemical microreactors for continuous flow synthesis are described in this review. Advantages of flow over batch type chemistry are highlighted as well as novel developments in construction of such devices.

SummaryA microreactor for electrochemical synthesis has been designed and fabricated. It has been shown that different reactions can be carried out successfully using simple protocols.

Electrochemical microreactors, which have electrodes integrated into the flow path, can afford rapid and efficient electrochemical reactions without redox reagents due to the intrinsic properties of short diffusion distances. Taking advantage of electrochemical microreactors, Kolbe electrolysis of di-and trifluoroacetic acid in the presence of various electron-deficient alkenes was performed under constant current at continuous flow at room temperature. As a result, di-and trifluoromethylated compounds were effectively produced in either equal or higher yields than identical reactions under batch conditions previously reported by Uneyamas group. The strategy of using electrochemical microreactor technology is useful for an effective fluoromethylation of alkenes based on Kolbe electrolysis in significantly shortened reaction times.

Flow me a Ritter: Ritter reactions are performed in a simple microreactor setup using tert‐butylacetate as versatile carbocation source. The protocol avoids the handling of large amounts of hot concentrated sulfuric acid as low concentrations are optimal for rapid access tert‐butyl‐ or diphenylmethyl‐protected amides.

Difluoro-and Trifluoromethylation of Electron-Deficient Alkenes in an ElectrochemicalMicroreactor. -An efficient and rapid access to difluoro-and trifluoromethylated compounds in good yields, which are equal or better than the yields under batch conditions, is described. -(ARAI, K.; WATTS, K.; WIRTH*, T.; ChemistryOpen 3 (2014) 1, 23-28, http://dx.