Stereospecific synthesis of resorcin[4]arenes and pyrogallol[4]arenes in dynamic thin films

Abstract

Acid catalysed condensation of resorcinol and pyrogallol with aromatic aldehydes using a microfluidic vortex fluidic device (VFD) under continuous flow conditions results in the selective formation of resorcin[4]arenes and pyrogallol[4]arenes as predominantly their C_4v isomers. Notably C_2v isomers and C_2h isomers can be also prepared with the latter being converted to the C_4v isomer when the VFD operates in confined mode.