The first miniaturised 3D printed polypropylene reactor with an integrated nanoelectrospray ionisation capillary and a stir bar for mass spectrometric online reaction monitoring.

Additive manufacturing (3D printing) is a disruptive technology that is changing production systems globally.

No abstract

A simple flow chemistry microreactor with an electrospray ionization tip for real time mass spectrometric reaction monitoring is introduced. The microreactor was fabricated by a laser-based additive manufacturing technique from acid-resistant stainless steel 316L. The functionality of the microreactor was investigated by using an inverse electron demand Diels-Alder and subsequent retro Diels-Alder reaction for testing. Challenges and problems encountered are discussed and improvements proposed. Adsorption of reagents to the rough stainless steel channel walls, short length of the reaction channel, and making a proper ESI tip present challenges, but the microreactor is potentially useful as a disposable device.