A vortex fluidic device (VFD) involving a rapidly rotating tube open at one end forms dynamic thin films at high rotational speed for finite sub-millilitre volumes of liquid, with shear within the films depending on the speed and orientation of the tube. Continuous flow operation of the VFD where jet feeds of solutions are directed to the closed end of the tube provide additional tuneable shear from the viscous drag as the liquid whirls along the tube. The versatility of this simple, low cost microfluidic device, which can operate under confined mode or continuous flow is demonstrated in accelerating organic reactions, for model Diels-Alder dimerization of cyclopentadienes, and sequential aldol and Michael addition reactions, in accessing unusual 2,4,6-triarylpyridines. Residence times are controllable for continuous flow processing with the viscous drag dominating the shear for flow rates >0.1 mL/min in a 10 mm diameter tube rotating at >2000 rpm.

Acid catalysed condensation of resorcinol and pyrogallol with aromatic aldehydes using a microfluidic vortex fluidic device (VFD) under continuous flow conditions results in the selective formation of resorcin[4]arenes and pyrogallol[4]arenes as predominantly their C(4v) isomers. Notably C(2v) isomers and C(2h) isomers can be also prepared with the latter being converted to the C(4v) isomer when the VFD operates in confined mode.

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Fluorescent polysubstituted pyridines are readily accessible as a single process using a thin film vortex fluidic device, with the compounds obtained in good yield following simple purification procedures.

Vortex Fluidic Promoted Diels-Alder Reactions in an Aqueous Medium. -The reaction is performed in a vortex fluidic device (VFD), a thin film microfluidic platform, at a 45 tilt angle and 5000 rpm in the absence of a catalyst. -(YASMIN, L.; STUBBS, K. A.; RASTON*, C. L.; Tetrahedron Lett. 55 (2014) 14, 2246-2248, http://dx.