Continuous Flow Microreactor Promoted the Catalytic N-Oxidation Reaction of Pyridine Derivatives

A simple continuous flow microreactor was successfully constructed for the N-oxidation of pyridine. The continuous flow microreactor used titanium silicalite (TS-1) in a packed-bed microreactor and H2O2 (in methanol as solvent) as the catalytic oxidation system for the formation of various pyridine N-oxides in up to 99% yields. This process is a safer, greener, and more highly efficiency process than using a batch reactor. The device was used for over 800 hours of continuous operation with the catalyst maintaining great activity thus providing great potential for large-scale production.