Synergizing Electrons and Photons in Motion: Continuous-Flow Implementation in Electro- and Photocatalyzed C-H Functionalization

Continuous-flow technology has emerged as a powerful platform for resource-economical molecular synthesis, thereby addressing key limitations of conventional batch processes through unparalleled control of temperature and residence time as well as improved heat and mass transfer. Especially, the application of flow chemistry to CH functionalization bears unique potential. By leveraging otherwise inert CH bonds as latent functional groups, the step- and atom-economical access to value-added molecular architectures from abundant and readily available starting materials is facilitated. Thereby, flow reactor technology enables superior heat and mass transfer, accelerated kinetics, and direct scalability, promoting operationally simple, safe, and sustainable transformations. Continuous-flow has proven enabling in photo- and electrocatalysis as well as their synergistic merger in photoelectrochemical catalysis. In addition, these strategies unlock the use of earth-abundant catalysts and renewable solvents, while streamlining molecular synthesis.