Synthesis of new heterocyclic resveratrol analogues in milli- and microreactors: intensification of the Wittig reaction

Resveratrol is a natural bioactive non-flavonoid polyphenol that protects from cardiovascular disease, neurodegenerative diseases and various cancers. Unfortunately, the amounts of resveratrol in plants are low and therefore, chemical synthesis is still the main way to obtain this valuable structure. In this work, Wittig reaction was chosen as the synthetic route for the study on technology influence in batch vs. micro- or milliflow reactors during the production of new resveratrol-like compounds. A series of reactions was carried out by batch synthesis, and intensified in a milli- and a microreactor, changing the reaction conditions to increase the efficiency and productivity of the process. Results were compared based on conversion, yield, productivity and trans/cis ratio. Similar yields and conversions were obtained in all reaction systems, but in much shorter time in the milli- and microscale compared to the batch reactor. On the other hand, higher productivities were obtained in the millireactor and microreactor, making them better systems for the proposed reactions of new heterocyclic resveratrol analogues synthesis.

Graphical abstract