Continuous Synthesis of Diazo Acetonitrile: From Experiments to Physical and Grey‐Box Modeling

Abstract

Diazo compounds are gathering interest for their potential in promoting greener synthesis routes. We investigate, at a lab‐scale, the continuous synthesis of diazo acetonitrile (DAN) using a micro‐structured flow reactor and a flow reaction calorimeter. Data concerning DAN formation in the former, and relative to reaction heat and gas flow rate in the latter, are collected. We present a physical and a grey‐box model, both of which are calibrated to our data. Compared to the physical model, the grey‐box approach allows to better incorporate the complex chemical reaction pathways of DAN.