Green Chemistry Technology Platform

Photochemistry refers to the technology that relies on the absorption of light energy by the reaction system so chemical reaction occurs. Due to mild reaction conditions, easy control, high stereoselectivity and low environmental pollution, photochemistry has recently been widely used in drug synthesis.
Photochemistry is the study of light-induced chemical reactions and physical reaction processes. Photochemical reaction absorbs light in order to create excited substances, which in turn lead to a series of reactions. These include single-molecule reactions such as decomposition reactions, ionization, and isomerization. Bimolecular reactions, which involve reactions with a second molecule or atom to form a new compound that produces light emission or light absorption. Photochemical reactions differ significantly from, for example, thermally induced reactions in that once a photochemical reaction is triggered the reaction is usually much accelerated, otherwise the reaction would not proceed.

How does it work?

Through years of research and technical know-how accumulation of green chemistry, we have mastered photo chemistry technology and built a reactor initiated by light. We have used chemical reactors to realize cis-trans- isomerization of olefins and ring-adding, halogenation, elimination, ring opening and other reactions, among which typical examples are the synthesis reaction of high-tensile bicyclic and catalytic decarboxylation boronylation reaction, some cases are listed as follows:

Synthesis of high-tension bicyclic "sail molecules": High-tension bicyclic "sail molecules" synthesized through conventional reactions usually have disadvantages of long route, low yield, and high cost. Bellen uses photochemical reaction technology to achieve scale-up production of such molecules, with a weekly output of more than 50kg. The process is safe and environmentally friendly, with low wastes generation and low cost.
Halogenation of visible photosensitized copper halide: Halogenation of heterocyclic compounds is an important way to obtain novel drug molecules. The halogenation of electron-deficient heterocyclic compounds is difficult to be carried out by traditional electrophilic substitution reaction, our technical team uses visible photosensitized copper halide as the electronic transfer reagent, and halogenated succinimide as the source of halogenated elements to achieve halogenation reaction under mild conditions.
A pyrrolecarboxylic acid decarboxylic acidation reaction: Under the mercury light source, the team achieved pyrroleboronic acid from pyrrolecarboxylic acid decarboxylation to pyrroleboronic acid on an ongoing project, which avoided the original three-step chemical reaction.
Photo-induced redox reaction: Catalyzed by blue light and Ir catalysts, the technical team efficiently synthesized chiral drug intermediates by constructing two rings and two chiral centers in one step on an ongoing project.

The main advantages that photo chemistry service can offer:

High efficiency with less side reactions
Alternative technology compared to traditional synthesis
Cost-effective, avoiding use of expensive reagents, catalysts etc.
Flexible, potential coupling with flow chemistry or other technologies

Photo chemistry capabilities in Bellen

Reactors: Small scale reactors in lab and larger reactors are available in plant with the throughput more than 10kg/day
Temperature range: from -30 to 180°C
Light source: Hg or Xe
Light power: 100 to 1000W