Lithium–halogen exchange reaction using microreaction technology

A two-stage continuous microreactor system was use to synthesize the materials for an organic light emitting diode. The split and recombine type of micromixers were suitable for the two-stage reaction including lithium-bromo exchange reaction. The two-stage synthesis was carried out under non-cryogenic conditions by taking full advantage of microstructured reaction systems. In a first stage, the unstable intermediate, naphthyl lithium was synthesized with maximum yield and consumed immediately in the second stage micromixer. The naphthyl-substituted anthracene was obtained with 97% purity.