A simple continuous flow synthesis of alkenyl chlorides from the corresponding readily available alkenyl iodides in copper reactor tubing is described. A variety of alkenyl chlorides were obtained in good to excellent yields with full retention of the double bond geometry. The reaction time was reduced by a factor of 24–48 compared to the batch process.
Key words
copper catalysis - heterogeneous catalysis - halogen exchange - Finkelstein reaction - continuous flow process