Continuous flow chemistry represents an alternative to chemistry conducted in batches, i.e. discontinuously. In batch reactions, reactants are placed in a vessel, mixed, and often heated. After the reaction has taken place, cooling is carried out and finally the products are removed from the reactor and possibly purified. On the contrary, in flow reactions small reactors are used and there is no need to interrupt the production process. This technology is widely used in the petrochemical sector and in water treatment, but recently it is also arousing great interest in the field of organic synthesis research. In fact, a continuous flow reactor often guarantees reaction conditions that cannot be obtained with a discontinuous reactor. Furthermore, while to increase the production scale of a batch process it is necessary to build a larger reactor and often review the reaction conditions, in continuous processes the change in scale is generally immediate. Flow chemistry integrates perfectly with photochemistry, since in the capillaries used in this technology the irradiation of the mixture is homogeneous and more effective than in batch reactors.

Thanks to 3D painting technology, today it is possible to easily produce these continuous flow reactors, and with the use of LEDs it is possible to implement efficient light sources at very low costs. Through the experience proposed in the laboratory, it will be possible to show the public a photochemical reactor in flow.