DE102023203407B4 - Flow reactor, process for catalyzing at least two reactions and use of the flow reactor - Google Patents

Abstract

A flow reactor is provided which has a polymer-containing layer, a first catalyst and a second catalyst. The two catalysts are suitable for catalyzing mutually different chemical reactions. The polymer-containing layer is at least partially transparent to light of at least one specific wavelength in the range from 250 nm to 1000 nm. Furthermore, a method for catalyzing at least two reactions is provided and a use of the flow reactor is proposed.

Description

A flow reactor is provided which contains an arrangement which has a polymer-containing layer, a first catalyst and a second catalyst. The two catalysts are suitable for catalyzing mutually different chemical reactions. The polymer-containing layer is at least partially transparent to light of at least one specific wavelength in the range from 250 nm to 1000 nm. Furthermore, a method for catalyzing at least two reactions is provided and uses of the flow reactor are proposed.

Chemical reactions can be accelerated and their product selectivity significantly improved using catalysts (or catalyst materials). As a rule, a particular catalyst can only catalyze a specific chemical reaction (i.e. one reaction step).

In known arrangements from the state of the art, chemical reactions are often carried out in the so-called batch process. This is time-consuming and costly because the arrangements must at least be discharged and cleaned with aqueous or organic solvents (often also vented and cooled) before the arrangements can be used for another chemical reaction, i.e. there are periods of time in which the arrangements cannot be used for a desired chemical reaction.

To remedy this, arrangements have been developed in the state of the art that allow a continuous flow of reaction solution over the catalysts (continuous process). For this, at least one of the catalysts used must be immobilized on a surface of the arrangement in order to avoid leaching from the arrangement. Numerous reactions are described in the literature for the immobilization of a catalyst on a surface (e.g. Abdul-Wahab, R. et al., Reactive and Functional Polymers, 152:104613 ).

Photocatalysis and especially the implementation of photocatalyzed syntheses with visible light has been a very active field of research for around 15 years. The use of micro process engineering (µVT) leads above all to a significantly better light yield and process control. The formation of thin liquid films in microchannels or capillaries enables complete and uniform irradiation of the reaction solution, which is not possible in a stirred tank. This guarantees a more stable process and better selectivity for the product, since the reaction solution is irradiated in a targeted manner and not repeatedly and uncontrolled, as is usual in a stirred tank.

In known arrangements for photochemical catalysis, the catalysts are usually present in dissolved form or in nanoparticulate form in the reaction solution. This has the disadvantage that the catalysts have to be removed from the reaction solution in a time-consuming and costly processing step after the chemical reaction has been carried out so that the reaction solution can be used for a further synthesis step. To solve this problem, photocatalysts have already been immobilized on surfaces while retaining their photophysical and catalytic properties in order to avoid the cleaning step after the chemical reaction. Either inorganic materials (e.g. TiO ₂ or SiO ₂ ) or organic materials (polymers, foams or cotton) were used as the surface for immobilization. However, it has been observed that certain photocatalysts immobilized on these surfaces in high density can aggregate, changing their absorption properties or causing undesirable quenching effects to occur, thus eliminating the catalytic effect.

Fabry, D.C. et al. (Green Chemistry, Vol. 19, pp. 1911-1918 ) disclose a falling film flow reactor for catalyzing the blue light-mediated CH-arylation of heteroarenes by a TiO ₂ photocatalyst. The TiO ₂ photocatalyst was immobilized on the front side of a stainless steel layer that was opaque to blue light and blue light was irradiated onto the front side of the layer. to cause the photochemical reaction.

The arrangement described by Fabry, DC et al. has several disadvantages: Firstly, it is not possible to carry out at least two chemical reactions (e.g. a cascade reaction) with this arrangement, as it only has a single catalyst (TiO ₂ photocatalyst). Secondly, it is not possible to carry out the photoreaction by shining the light required for the reaction (in this case blue light) onto the back of the layer, i.e. the side of the layer facing away from the immobilized TiO ₂ photocatalyst, as the stainless steel of the layer is opaque to the light required for this. For photocatalysis with liquids and/or reactants that absorb at a wavelength of the required light, the disadvantage is that the photoreaction cannot be carried out with high efficiency due to a smaller amount of light hitting the photocatalyst. Since in these cases the amount of light ultimately hitting the photocatalyst is also not known, the reaction nor can it be precisely controlled or monitored. Apart from that, due to the direct exposure of the absorbing liquids and/or reactants to light, it cannot be ruled out that undesirable by-products may be formed, the subsequent separation of which from the desired reaction products can be time-consuming and costly, or which can reduce the overall yield of the desired products.

The US 2006 / 0 222 575 A1 discloses a device for a photocatalytic reaction comprising a light-transmissive substrate, a photocatalytic layer, and one or more converging lenses, the light-transmissive substrate comprising a first surface and an opposing second surface, and the photocatalytic layer is formed on the first surface of the substrate. The converging lenses are movably formed on the second surface of the substrate and configured to converge light onto the photocatalytic layer. The device also comprises one or more optical filters configured to transmit light of a predetermined bandwidth.

The CN 1 10 718 700 A discloses a catalyst layer material and a membrane electrode assembly comprising the catalyst layer material. The catalyst layer material is used for a fuel cell and comprises a catalyst support having catalyst agents dispersed thereon and consisting of TiWMXNYOZ, where Ti is titanium, M is selected from the group consisting of IB group metals, IIA group metals, IIB group metals, VB group metals, VIB group metals, VIIB group metals, and VIIIB group metals, N is selected from a non-metal group consisting of boron, carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus, and sulfur, O is oxygen, and W, X, Y, and Z satisfy the following conditions: 0 < W ≤ 1; 0 < X ≤ 0.5; 0 < Y ≤ 0.2; and 1.5 ≤ Z ≤ 2.0.

Based on this, the object of the present invention was to provide an arrangement and a method which make it possible to carry out at least two chemical reactions with a maximum product yield per unit time, low time expenditure, low costs, high efficiency, precise controllability and without the risk of the occurrence of undesirable by-products.

The object is achieved by the flow reactor with the features of claim 1, the method with the features of claim 19 and the use with the features of claim 24. The dependent claims show advantageous further developments.

1. a) einer Schicht mit einer Vorderseite und einer Rückseite, wobei die Schicht ein Polymer enthält oder daraus besteht;
2. b) einen/einem ersten Katalysator, der zur Katalyse einer ersten Reaktion geeignet ist und der auf der Vorderseite der Schicht immobilisiert ist; und
3. c) einen/einem zweiten Katalysator, der zur Katalyse einer zweiten Reaktion geeignet ist, die von der ersten Reaktion verschieden ist;

dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Schicht zumindest bereichsweise für Licht zumindest einer bestimmten Wellenlänge im Bereich von 250 nm bis 1000 nm transparent ist (optional ist die Schicht für Licht aller Wellenlängen in diesem Bereich transparent),
wobei der Durchflussreaktor ferner einen Einlass für eine Flüssigkeit und einen Auslass für eine Flüssigkeit enthält,
wobei der Einlass und Auslass jeweils fluidisch zumindest mit der Vorderseite der Schicht verbunden sind.According to the invention, a flow reactor is provided which contains an arrangement for catalyzing at least two (chemical) reactions, the arrangement comprising or consisting of:

1. a) a layer having a front side and a back side, the layer containing or consisting of a polymer;
2. b) a first catalyst suitable for catalyzing a first reaction and immobilised on the front side of the layer; and
3. c) a second catalyst suitable for catalyzing a second reaction different from the first reaction;

characterized in that the layer is at least partially transparent to light of at least one specific wavelength in the range from 250 nm to 1000 nm (optionally the layer is transparent to light of all wavelengths in this range),
wherein the flow reactor further includes an inlet for a liquid and an outlet for a liquid,
wherein the inlet and outlet are each fluidically connected at least to the front side of the layer.

The arrangement of the flow reactor according to the invention has the advantage that it can be used to carry out at least two chemical reactions with a maximum product yield per unit time, with little time expenditure, low costs, high efficiency, precise controllability and without the risk of the occurrence of undesirable by-products. The reason for this is that the arrangement contains a second catalyst.

A further advantage arises from the fact that the layer on the front side of which the first catalyst is immobilized is a layer that is transparent to light of at least one specific wavelength in the range from 250 nm to 1000 nm. This allows light to be irradiated onto the back side of the layer, so that the first catalyst immobilized on the front side of the layer and also the second catalyst can be exposed to a maximum and defined amount of light and a disruptive influence on the amount of light caused by the reaction liquid and/or reactants can be minimized. This is particularly advantageous if the first catalyst and/or second catalyst is a photocatalyst, since in this case the maximum product yield per time and the efficiency of the photochemical reaction are higher and the photochemical reaction can be controlled more precisely and can be carried out without the risk of undesirable by-products occurring.

Since the layer contains or consists of a polymer, there is the additional advantage that the arrangement can be provided more cost-effectively than an arrangement containing a layer of stainless steel. A further advantage over arrangements containing a layer of glass is that the arrangement is more resistant to mechanical stress and the orientation of the layer can be flexibly changed, ie the layer can, for example, be arranged as required in a geometric arrangement that deviates from the geometric arrangement of the original layer (eg from flat to curved, wavy or similar).

The light of the specific wavelength for which the layer is at least partially transparent is preferably light of a wavelength that is required to catalyze the first and/or second reaction (e.g. if the first and/or second reaction is/are a photochemical reaction that is catalyzed by a photocatalyst as the first and/or second catalyst).

The layer of the arrangement can be transparent, at least in regions, to light of at least one specific wavelength in the range from 300 to 800 nm (optionally the layer is transparent to light of all wavelengths in this range). The light of the specific wavelength is preferably light of a wavelength that is required to catalyze the first and/or second reaction.

Furthermore, the layer can have a layer thickness, in a direction from the front to the back of the layer, in the range from 1 µm to 1500 µm, preferably 2 to 1000 µm, particularly preferably 5 to 500 µm, in particular 10 to 200 µm. Smaller layer thicknesses have the advantage that the absorption of light is lower, so that when light is irradiated onto the back of the layer, a higher amount of light reaches the upper side of the layer, on which at least the first catalyst is immobilized.

Apart from that, the layer can be planar or non-planar on the front side and/or on the back side. In the case of a non-planar layer, the front side and/or back side of the layer (in particular the front side of the layer) optionally has a structure that is preferably selected from the group of wave-shaped structure, channel-shaped structure and combinations thereof. The channel-shaped structuring can comprise a plurality of parallel microchannels (e.g. ≥ 10, preferably ≥ 20, particularly preferably ≥ 30, parallel microchannels), wherein the microchannels each preferably have a width (i.e. an extension parallel to the surface of the layer and perpendicular to its running direction) in the range from 100 to 1000 µm (preferably 200 to 800 µm) and/or each preferably have a depth (i.e. an extension perpendicular to the surface of the layer) in the range from 50 to 500 µm (preferably 100 to 300 µm). The channel-shaped structuring in the form of a large number of microchannels has the advantage that the reaction volume is kept very small and thus allows an efficient mixing of a reactive gas (e.g. O ₂ ) with the reaction liquid and thus with the catalysts and the at least one reactant. This means that the reactive gas can be used up much more quickly and, in the event of a leak, large quantities of dangerous gas can be prevented from being released. There is also an advantage in terms of the selectivity of the reaction to be catalyzed, since a chemical process can be controlled much better in a small reaction volume than in a larger reaction volume.

The layer can be designed as a film, preferably as a rigid or flexible film.

In a preferred embodiment, the layer has a transmittance of ≥50%, preferably ≥70%, particularly preferably ≥90%, in particular ≥95%, optionally ≥99%, for light of at least one specific wavelength in the range from 250 nm to 1000 nm, preferably in the range from 300 to 800 nm, optionally in the range from 320 to 800 nm, at least in some regions (the layer optionally has such a transmittance for light of all wavelengths in this range). The light of the specific wavelength is preferably light of a wavelength that is required to catalyze the first and/or second reaction. The higher the transparency of the layer, the higher the proportion of incident light that arrives on the front side of the layer after passing through the layer and thus at the first catalyst (and also the second catalyst).

The polymer of the layer can be selected from the group consisting of polyolefin, polyester, polyamide, polyetherimide, polylactide, PEN, PVC, EVA, cellulose derivatives and combinations and copolymers thereof.

Furthermore, the polymer of the layer can have at least one functional group on the surface of the layer. The advantage of this is that the first catalyst (optionally also the second catalyst) can be covalently immobilized on the front side of the layer (optionally also on the back side of the layer), which prevents the catalysts from being washed out and thus increases the product purity and makes the arrangement more stable in the long term.

The at least one functional group is preferably selected from the group consisting of hydroxy group, amino group, azide group, thiol group, aldehyde group, alkyne group, alkene group, carboxylic acid group, carboxylic acid anhydride group, epoxy group, sulfonic acid group, sulfonic acid chloride group, trinitriloacetic acid group and combinations thereof. Optionally, the functional group (preferably in the case of a trinitriloacetic acid group) is complexed with at least one metal ion, wherein the at least one metal ion is preferably selected from the group consisting of Ni-ion, Co-ion, Zn-ion and combinations thereof.

The polymer of the layer can be functionalized on the surface of the layer by a method selected from the group consisting of liquid treatment methods, gas phase methods, plasma methods and combinations thereof, wherein the liquid treatment method is preferably selected from the group consisting of dipping, printing, spraying, doctor blade coating, grafting and combinations thereof. In other words, at least one functional group can be generated on the surface of the layer by at least one of these methods.

The first catalyst can be selected from the group consisting of photocatalyst, noble metal catalyst, enzymatic catalyst and organic, non-enzymatic catalyst. The first catalyst is preferably a photocatalyst. Since the first catalyst is immobilized on the front side of the layer, the advantage in the case of a photocatalyst is that the first catalyst can be exposed to the maximum possible amount of light when light is irradiated onto the back side of the layer.

The first catalyst may be a non-particulate catalyst or a particulate catalyst.

In a preferred embodiment, the first catalyst catalyzes a conversion of a reactant, which is a product of a catalysis by the second catalyst, into a product. In other words, in this case the first catalyst catalyzes a second stage of a cascade reaction, the first stage of which is catalyzed by the second catalyst.

The first catalyst can be immobilized on the surface of the layer via at least one non-covalent bond. The advantage here is that the immobilization of the first catalyst on the front side of the layer can also be achieved without functionalizing the front side of the layer, which can make the provision of the arrangement more cost-effective. The at least one non-covalent bond is preferably selected from the group consisting of hydrogen bonding, dipole-dipole interaction, π-π interaction, van der Waals interaction, ionic interaction, hydrophobic interaction and combinations thereof.

Furthermore, the first catalyst can be immobilized on the surface of the layer via at least one covalent bond. The advantage here is that the immobilization and thus the arrangement is long-term stable and detachment of the first catalyst from the layer can be prevented, thereby avoiding contamination of the product with the first catalyst. The covalent bond is preferably established by a functional group selected from the group consisting of ketone, ester, carbamate, carbonate, ether, amide, urethane, disulfide, sulfonamide, sulfonic acid ester, thioether, triazole and combinations thereof.

Apart from that, the first catalyst can be immobilized on the surface of the layer via a spacer. This has the advantage that a possible disruptive influence of the surface of the layer on the activity of the catalyst is avoided and the catalyst has more degrees of freedom on the surface of the substrate despite its immobilization, which can improve its catalytic effectiveness. The spacer is preferably selected from the group consisting of n-alkane, heterocycle, oligomer, polymer, plasma polymer and combinations thereof, wherein the spacer is particularly preferably selected from the group consisting of polyetherimine, polyethylene glycol, functionalized polysaccharide, polyacrylic acid-like plasma polymer and combinations thereof.

In addition, the first catalyst can be immobilized on the surface of the layer using a wet-chemical process, wherein the wet-chemical process is preferably selected from the group consisting of immersion processes, liquid pressure processes and combinations thereof. The liquid pressure process has the advantage that the catalyst can be immobilized on the surface of the substrate in a very location-selective manner (i.e. with high spatial resolution).

The first catalyst can be immobilized evenly distributed on the surface of the layer (ie immobilized isotropically in all spatial directions of the surface). This has the advantage that the same catalytic conditions are provided on the entire surface of the substrate with respect to the first catalyst. Preferably, the second catalyst is also evenly distributed on the surface of the layer and immobilized at a certain distance from the first catalyst. This has the advantage that the same catalytic conditions are provided on the entire surface of the substrate. of the substrate, the same catalysis conditions are provided with respect to both catalysts and a cascade reaction can proceed efficiently. The specific distance from the first catalyst to the second catalyst is preferably in a range from 1 nm to 1000 µm, optionally in a range from 200 nm to 1000 µm, where the distance refers to a distance determined via confocal Raman microscopy or electron microscopy. The person skilled in the art will select a suitable determination method (e.g. confocal Raman microscopy for organic catalysts and electron microscopy for inorganic catalysts). The smaller the distance, the higher the efficiency of the catalysis. However, the distance should not be too small to prevent the activity of the first catalyst from being negatively affected by the second catalyst, and vice versa.

Apart from that, the first catalyst can be immobilized in a first region of the surface of the layer and the second catalyst can be immobilized in a second region of the arrangement which differs from the first region of the surface of the layer and which has a distance from the first region of the surface of the layer which is in the range of 1 µm to 20 cm, preferably 10 µm to 10 cm. This arrangement has the advantage that the reactions of the first catalyst and the second catalyst take place in spatially separate regions on the layer, which can avoid undesirable side reactions in the event of a lower reactant selectivity of at least one of the two catalysts. Furthermore, in the case of a cascade reaction, it is thus possible to specify a direction for the reaction, i.e., for example, to first allow the liquid containing the reactant to flow over the first region (having the first catalyst) and then to allow the liquid (containing the product of the catalysis of the first catalyst and the reactant for the catalysis reaction with the second catalyst) to flow over the second region. This measure can prevent possible side reactions and provide a product of higher purity. The second region can be a second region on the surface of the layer of the arrangement or a region on a surface of a further layer of the arrangement. The further layer of the arrangement can have at least one feature (optionally all features) that the layer of the arrangement also has.

The second catalyst can be selected from the group consisting of photocatalyst, noble metal catalyst, enzymatic catalyst and organic, non-enzymatic catalyst, wherein the second catalyst is preferably an enzymatic catalyst.

Furthermore, the second catalyst may be a non-particulate catalyst or a particulate catalyst.

In addition, the second catalyst can catalyze a conversion of a reactant, which is a product of catalysis by the first catalyst, into a product. In this case, the second catalyst catalyzes a second stage of a cascade reaction, the first stage of which is catalyzed by the first catalyst.

Apart from that, the second catalyst (like the first catalyst) can be immobilized on the front side of the layer. The immobilization of the second catalyst has the advantage, firstly, that the second catalyst does not have to be part of the reaction liquid and thus does not have to be removed from the product stream, which is time-consuming and expensive. There is also an advantage if the second catalyst in the reaction liquid tends to aggregate, which reduces its activity (which can be the case with certain enzymatic catalysts, for example), because in this case the immobilization of the second catalyst can prevent aggregation and thus a reduction in the activity of the second catalyst. There is also an advantage in the case of a photocatalyst as the second catalyst: The immobilization on the front side of the layer means that the second catalyst can experience a maximum and defined amount of light when light is shone on the back of the layer. This is not always the case in the case of a second catalyst flowing in the reaction medium.

The second catalyst can be immobilized on the surface of the layer via at least one non-covalent bond. The at least one non-covalent bond is preferably selected from the group consisting of hydrogen bonding, dipole-dipole interaction, π-π interaction, van der Waals interaction, ionic interaction, hydrophobic interaction and combinations thereof.

Furthermore, the second catalyst can be immobilized on the surface of the layer via at least one covalent bond. The covalent bond is preferably established by a functional group selected from the group consisting of ketone, ester, carbamate, carbonate, ether, amide, sulfide, disulfide, and combinations thereof.

In addition, the second catalyst can be immobilized on the surface of the layer via a spacer. The spacer is preferably selected from the group consisting of n-alkane, heterocycle, oligomer, polymer, plasma polymer and combinations thereof. Particularly preferred is the spacer is selected from the group consisting of polyetherimine, polyethylene glycol, functionalized polysaccharide, polyacrylic acid-like plasma polymer and combinations thereof.

In addition, the second catalyst can be immobilized on the surface of the layer using a wet-chemical process. The wet-chemical process is preferably selected from the group consisting of immersion processes, liquid pressure processes and combinations thereof.

In addition, the second catalyst can be immobilized on the surface of the layer and/or on a surface of a further layer of the arrangement. The further layer of the arrangement can have at least one feature (optionally all features) that the layer of the arrangement also has.

Preferably, the second catalyst is immobilized uniformly distributed on the surface of the layer at a specific distance from the first catalyst. The specific distance from the first catalyst to the second catalyst is preferably in a range from 1 nm to 1000 µm, optionally in a range from 200 nm to 1000 µm, wherein the distance refers to a distance determined via confocal Raman microscopy or electron microscopy. The person skilled in the art will select a suitable determination method (e.g. confocal Raman microscopy for organic catalysts and electron microscopy for inorganic catalysts).

Furthermore, the second catalyst can be immobilized in a second region of the surface of the layer and the first catalyst can be immobilized in a first region of the surface of the layer which differs from the first region of the surface of the layer and which has a distance from the first region of the surface of the layer which is in the range of 1 µm to 20 cm, preferably 10 µm to 10 cm.

Apart from that, the second catalyst can be immobilized in a region of a surface of a further layer of the arrangement and the first catalyst can be immobilized on the surface of the layer, wherein the region of the surface of the further layer of the arrangement has a distance from the region of the surface of the layer of the arrangement which is in the range of 1 µm to 20 cm, preferably 10 µm to 10 cm. The further layer of the arrangement can have at least one feature (optionally all features) which the layer of the arrangement also has.

The first catalyst and/or the second catalyst may be a particulate catalyst. It is possible for the particulate catalyst to comprise the first catalyst and not the second catalyst, to comprise the second catalyst and not the first catalyst, or to comprise the first and second catalyst.

Furthermore, the first catalyst and/or the second catalyst can be a supraparticulate catalyst. It is possible for the supraparticulate catalyst to comprise the first catalyst and not the second catalyst, to comprise the second catalyst and not the first catalyst, or to comprise the first and second catalyst.

Furthermore, the supraparticulate catalyst can have a diameter in the range of 1 µm to 20 µm, preferably in the range of 1 µm to 10 µm.

Apart from that, the supraparticulate catalyst can contain or consist of a large number of catalytically active nanoparticles. The nanoparticles preferably have a diameter in the range from 1 nm to 500 nm, particularly preferably 5 nm to 150 nm, very particularly preferably 5 nm to 100 nm.

In addition, the supraparticulate catalyst can contain or consist of a large number of catalytically inactive carrier particles whose surface is covered with catalytic particles containing or consisting of catalytically active molecules, ions and/or atoms. The carrier particles preferably have a diameter in the range from 1 nm to 500 nm, particularly preferably 5 nm to 150 nm, very particularly preferably 5 nm to 100 nm. The catalytic particles preferably have a diameter in the range from 1 µm to 20 µm, preferably 1 µm to 10 µm.

Furthermore, the supraparticulate catalyst can contain or consist of a large number of catalytically active nanoparticles and catalytically inactive carrier particles whose surface is covered with catalytic particles made of catalytically active molecules, ions and/or atoms. The properties of the catalytically active nanoparticles and/or the catalytically inactive carrier particles can correspond to the above-mentioned properties of these particles.

The supraparticulate catalyst can be produced by spray drying, preferably by spray drying at least one dispersion containing catalytically active nanoparticles and/or at least one dispersion containing catalytically inactive carrier particles and containing catalytic particles containing or consisting of catalytically active molecules, ions and/or atoms. During spray drying, the individual nano Particles in the sprayed liquid droplets assemble into densely packed, complex, supramolecular structures by forced self-assembly and thus determine the properties of the supraparticles. Spray drying can be used to produce supraparticulate catalysts on a ton scale.

The arrangement may include a liquid contacting the front side of the layer.

The liquid preferably contains water. This has the advantage that certain catalysts (e.g. enzymes) have a high catalytic effectiveness or do not suffer any loss of their catalytic effectiveness (e.g. through denaturation in the case of an enzyme).

The liquid can also contain oxygen. Oxygen plays a role in a variety of photochemical reactions, for example the presence of oxygen in the liquid enables photochemical generation of ¹ O ₂ in situ, ie, if the first and/or second catalyst is a photocatalyst, at the location of the photocatalyst or photocatalysts of the arrangement, the ¹ O ₂ generated in situ being available for a subsequent reaction with a reactant of the liquid.

In addition, the liquid can contain a nucleophilic reagent, preferably a cyanide salt, particularly preferably NaCN. The advantage here is that a nucleophilic addition to a specific reactant can be catalyzed by a catalyst in the arrangement.

Furthermore, the liquid may contain a halogenating agent, preferably a halogenating agent containing fluorine as an electrophile or nucleophile. This enables catalysis of a halogenating reaction by the device.

In addition, the liquid can contain at least one organic solvent, which is preferably selected from the group consisting of alcohol, DMSO and mixtures thereof. This has the advantage that reactants with a high hydrophobicity can be dissolved in the liquid in high concentrations, which increases the efficiency of the catalytic reactions. The alcohol is particularly preferably a C ₁ -C ₆ alcohol. In particular, the alcohol is selected from the group consisting of methanol, ethanol, 2-propanol and mixtures thereof. These alcohols have the advantage that, on the one hand, they dissolve hydrophobic organic substances well and, on the other hand, they have a relatively low viscosity under normal conditions (25 °C), which leads to better wetting of the surface of the layer of the arrangement and better thin film formation on the surface of the layer of the arrangement, so that light transmission and gas mass transfer become more efficient.

In a preferred embodiment, the liquid contains at least one reactant, optionally several reactants, the conversion of which to a product is catalyzed by the first and/or second catalyst. If the first and/or second catalyst catalyzes a photochemical reaction, this has the advantage that only light needs to be irradiated onto the catalysts of the arrangement in order to convert the at least one reactant or the several reactants to at least one product. In other words, the time required to produce the product is shortened. The at least one reactant is preferably selected from the group consisting of β-keto-carboxylic acid and alkylated benzene.

The liquid can contain the second catalyst. This embodiment describes an arrangement in which the second catalyst is not immobilized on (the front side) of the layer of the arrangement. This embodiment can be advantageous if the second catalyst is not a photocatalyst, the first catalyst is a photocatalyst and a maximum coverage density of the first catalyst (photocatalyst) on the front side of the layer of the arrangement is desired in order to enable maximum light capture of the first catalyst in the event of irradiation of the layer onto the back side of the layer and thus to achieve maximum efficiency of the photochemical reaction.

Furthermore, the liquid can be arranged at a height on the front side of the layer (“film thickness”) which is in the range of 10 to 200 µm, preferably 20 to 100 µm, wherein the height corresponds to a length from a lowest point of the front side of the layer to a point of the liquid which is furthest away from the lowest point of the front side of the layer.

The arrangement may comprise a support frame adapted to support the layer in a reversible manner, wherein the layer is preferably supported by the support frame.

In a preferred embodiment, the arrangement contains a light source which is configured to emit light of at least one specific wavelength in the range from 250 nm to 1000 nm, preferably in the range from 300 nm to 800 nm, optionally in the range from 320 nm to 800 nm, in the direction of the front and/or back of the layer, and optionally in the direction of the front and/or back of at least one further layer of the arrangement (optionally, the light source is configured to emit light in the entire specified wavelength range. rich). The light of the specific wavelength is preferably light of a wavelength that is required to catalyze the first and/or second reaction. Preferably, the light source is configured to radiate in the direction of the back of the layer and/or the at least one further layer. The further layer of the arrangement can have at least one feature (optionally all features) that the layer of the arrangement also has. The configuration of the light source to radiate the light onto the back of the layer has the advantages that, in the case of reaction liquids, reactants and/or products that absorb in the wavelength range of the light source, the at least two reactions can be carried out with greater efficiency, more precise controllability and without the risk of undesirable by-products occurring.

With the flow reactor according to the invention, it is possible to carry out at least two chemical reactions with a maximum product yield per unit time, little time expenditure, low costs, high efficiency, precise controllability and without the risk of undesirable by-products occurring. The inlets and outlets for liquid allow the at least two chemical reactions to be carried out in a continuous manner, which - unlike batch reactions - allows continuous production of industrially relevant quantities of products. Furthermore, the cleaning steps required in batch processes can be omitted, which brings with it a time and cost advantage.

In the flow reactor, the first catalyst can be immobilized in a first region of the surface of the layer which faces the inlet and the second catalyst can be immobilized in a region of the arrangement which faces the outlet and which does not overlap with the first region of the surface of the layer. This arrangement has the advantage that a sequential reaction (cascade reaction) of a specific reactant can be carried out without undesirable side reactions or a decrease in the reaction efficiency.

The liquid inlet of the flow reactor may be connected to a liquid source containing a liquid.

The liquid from the liquid source preferably contains water.

Furthermore, the liquid of the liquid source may contain a nucleophilic reagent, preferably a cyanide salt, particularly preferably NaCN.

In addition, the liquid of the liquid source may contain a halogenating agent, preferably a halogenating agent containing fluorine as an electrophile or nucleophile.

In addition, the liquid of the liquid source can contain at least one organic solvent. The organic solvent is preferably a C ₁ -C ₆ alcohol. The organic solvent is particularly preferably selected from the group consisting of methanol, ethanol, 2-propanol and mixtures thereof.

In a preferred embodiment, the liquid of the liquid source contains at least one reactant, optionally several reactants, the conversion of which to a product is catalyzed by the first and/or second catalyst. The at least one reactant is preferably selected from the group consisting of β-keto-carboxylic acid and alkylated benzene.

Furthermore, the liquid of the liquid source may contain the second catalyst.

The flow reactor can be configured to direct the liquid from the liquid source over the front side of the layer of the arrangement such that the liquid flows over the front side of the layer at a height that is in the range of 10 to 200 µm, preferably 20 to 100 µm, the height corresponding to a length from a lowest point of the front side of the layer to a point of the liquid that is furthest away from the lowest point of the front side of the layer. This configuration can be achieved by structuring the arrangement of the flow reactor and/or by transporting a suitable amount of liquid per unit time over the front side of the layer of the arrangement.

The flow reactor can have an inlet for a gas and an outlet for a gas. This configuration is advantageous if one of the at least two reactions catalyzed by the flow reactor is a reaction that requires a gas (e.g. oxygen).

The inlet for a gas and the outlet for a gas can each be fluidically connected at least to the front side of the layer.

Furthermore, the inlet for a gas is preferably connected to a gas source which contains oxygen in particular. Oxygen plays an important role in a large number of photochemical reactions in order to generate a specific product, i.e. this embodiment is particularly advantageous if the first and/or second catalyst is a photocatalyst.

The flow reactor can have at least two, preferably at least three, particularly preferably at least four, in particular at least five, of the arrangements described above. The arrangements can be connected fluidically in parallel or fluidically in series in a direction from the inlet to the outlet of the flow reactor. The parallel connection has the advantage that at least two reactions per arrangement can be catalyzed in parallel and thus the product yield per unit time can be increased. A serial connection has the advantage that a cascade reaction of more than two stages from a reactant to a specific product is possible. In the case of a serial connection, the output of an upstream arrangement can be fluidically connected to the input of another arrangement located immediately downstream of the arrangement.

Between the respective arrangements, the first and/or second catalysts may be the same or different.

The flow reactor can be a falling film flow reactor.

1. a) Bereitstellen eines erfindungsgemäßen Durchflussreaktors; und
2. b) Kontaktieren zumindest der ersten Oberfläche der Schicht mit einer Flüssigkeit, wobei die Flüssigkeit mindestens ein Edukt enthält, dessen Umsetzung zu einem Produkt von dem ersten und zweiten Katalysator katalysiert wird, oder die Flüssigkeit mindestens ein erstes Edukt enthält, dessen Umsetzung zu mindestens einem ersten Produkt von dem ersten oder zweiten Katalysator katalysiert wird, und die Flüssigkeit mindestens ein zweites Edukt enthält, dessen Umsetzung zu mindestens einem zweiten Produkt von einem der ersten oder zweiten Katalysatoren katalysiert wird, der nicht die Umsetzung von dem ersten Edukt zu einem ersten Produkt katalysiert.

According to the invention, a process for catalyzing at least two (chemical) reactions is also provided, comprising or consisting of the following steps:

1. a) providing a flow reactor according to the invention; and
2. b) contacting at least the first surface of the layer with a liquid, wherein the liquid contains at least one reactant whose conversion to a product is catalyzed by the first and second catalysts, or the liquid contains at least one first reactant whose conversion to at least one first product is catalyzed by the first or second catalysts, and the liquid contains at least one second reactant whose conversion to at least one second product is catalyzed by one of the first or second catalysts which does not catalyze the conversion of the first reactant to a first product.

With the process according to the invention it is possible to carry out at least two chemical reactions with a maximum product yield per unit time, low time expenditure, low costs, high efficiency, precise controllability and without the risk of the occurrence of undesirable by-products.

In a preferred embodiment of the method, light of at least one specific wavelength in the range from 250 nm to 1000 nm, preferably in the range from 300 nm to 800 nm, optionally in the range from 320 nm to 800 nm, is radiated in the direction of the front and/or back of the layer, and optionally in the direction of the front and/or back of at least one further layer of the arrangement. The light of the specific wavelength is preferably light of a wavelength that is required to catalyze the first and/or second reaction. The light is preferably radiated in the direction of the back of the layer and/or the back of the at least one further layer of the arrangement.

In step a) of the method, a flow reactor can be provided and the liquid can be passed (or transported) from the inlet to the outlet of the flow reactor. Particularly preferably, the liquid is first passed over the first catalyst, which is immobilized in a first region of the surface of the layer, which faces the inlet, and the liquid is then passed over the second catalyst, which is immobilized in a region of the arrangement, which faces the outlet and which does not overlap with the first region of the layer of the arrangement.

The flow reactor provided (and used) in the method can further comprise at least one inlet for a gas and at least one outlet for a gas. Preferably, the inlet for the gas and the outlet for the gas are each fluidically connected to the front side of the layer and/or to a front side of a further layer of the arrangement, wherein the gas is transported from the inlet for a gas to the outlet for a gas.

The flow reactor provided (and used) in the process can have at least two, preferably at least three, particularly preferably at least four, in particular at least five, of the arrangements described above. The arrangements are preferably connected fluidically in parallel or fluidically in series in a direction from the inlet to the outlet of the flow reactor. The liquid is particularly preferably transported fluidically in parallel or in series from the inlet for a liquid to the outlet for a liquid. Optionally, a gas is (also) transported fluidically in parallel or in series from an inlet for a gas of the flow reactor to an outlet for a gas of the flow reactor.

Between the respective arrangements of the device provided (and used) in the procedure In a flow reactor, the first and/or second catalysts may be the same or different.

According to the invention, a use of the flow reactor according to the invention for catalyzing at least two reactions is further proposed, preferably at least two interdependent reactions taking place in a cascade or two mutually independent reactions.

The subject matter of the invention will be explained in more detail with reference to the following figures, without wishing to restrict it to the specific embodiments shown here.

1 shows a schematic diagram of an arrangement for catalyzing at least two reactions. The arrangement has a layer 1 with a front side 2 and a back side 3, wherein the layer 1 contains or consists of a polymer. The arrangement also has a first catalyst 4 which is suitable for catalyzing a first reaction and which is immobilized on the front side 2 of the layer 1. In addition, the arrangement has a second catalyst 5 which is suitable for catalyzing a second reaction which is different from the first reaction. In the embodiment shown here, the first catalyst 4 is a photocatalyst and the second catalyst 5 is an enzyme. The arrangement is characterized in that the layer 1 is at least partially transparent to light of a wavelength in the range from 250 nm to 1000 nm. The layer 1 here has a layer thickness 6 of 100 µm. In the embodiment shown, the first catalyst 4 is immobilized via a spacer 7 on the front side 2 of the layer 1 and the second catalyst 5 is freely movable in the liquid F on the front side 2 of the layer 1. Gas G (eg air or pure oxygen) is arranged above the liquid F, which can dissolve in the liquid F and can be necessary for the reaction that is accelerated by the first catalyst 4 and/or by the second catalyst 5 (eg photochemical generation of singlet oxygen from oxygen).

2 shows a schematic of another arrangement. A difference to the arrangement of the 1 is that here the second catalyst 5 is also immobilized via a spacer 8 on the front side 2 of the layer 1. This creates a certain distance A1 between the first catalyst 4 and the second catalyst 5 on the front side 2 of the layer 1. The certain distance A1 establishes a spatial separation between the first catalyst 4 and the second catalyst 5. This can prevent the two catalysts 4, 5 from interfering with each other in their function.

3 shows a schematic of another arrangement. A difference to the arrangement of the 2 is that the first catalyst 4 is immobilized in a first region of the surface of the layer 1 and the second catalyst 5 is immobilized in a second region of the surface of the layer 1, with a certain distance A2 between the first region of the surface of the layer and the second region of the surface of the layer. The certain distance A2 results in an even greater spatial separation than in the arrangement of the 2 between the first catalyst 4 and the second catalyst 5. Due to this spatial separation, a direction can be imposed on a cascade reaction, i.e. liquid F (and optionally gas G) can first be passed over the first catalyst 4 and generate a first product and only then passed over the second catalyst 5 to convert the first product into a final product. This can prevent the final product from reacting in an undesirable way with the first catalyst 4 and forming undesirable by-products.

4 shows a schematic of another arrangement. A difference to the arrangement of the 3 is that the first catalyst 4 is immobilized on the surface of layer 1 and the second catalyst 5 is immobilized on the front side 10 and the surface of a further layer 9, there is a certain distance A3 from the area of the surface of the further layer to the area of the surface of the layer. The front side 2 of layer 1 is fluidically connected to the front side 10 of the further layer 9, i.e. liquid F and gas G can flow from the front side 2 of layer 1 to the front side 10 of the further layer 9. Due to the certain distance A3, a spatial separation can be established between the first catalyst 4 and the second catalyst 5, which is independent of the dimensions of layer 1 and can therefore also be made very high, which can even better ensure the formation of undesirable by-products. Furthermore, this design has a high degree of flexibility: Since each of the layers 1, 9 only carries a certain catalyst 4, 5, each of the layers 1, 9 only catalyzes a certain reaction. If it is now desired to produce a different product via a cascade reaction, for example, the further layer 9 of the arrangement can be exchanged in a quick and simple manner by another further layer 9 which carries a different type of second catalyst 5.

5 shows schematically a flow reactor according to the invention. The flow reactor here has an arrangement as shown in the 1 is shown. Furthermore, the flow reactor for conducting the liquid F over the front side 2 of the layer 1 has a liquid inlet FE and a liquid outlet FA, wherein the liquid inlet FE and the liquid outlet FA are each fluidically connected to the front side 2 of the layer 1. In addition, the flow reactor for conducting the gas G over the front side 2 of the layer 1 has a gas inlet GE and a gas outlet GE, wherein the gas inlet GE and the gas outlet GA are each fluidically connected to the front side 2 of the layer 1. In addition, the flow reactor has at least one light source (not shown) which radiates light in an irradiation direction BRU onto the back side of the layer of the arrangement and, in the case shown, also radiates in an irradiation direction BRO onto the front side of the layer of the arrangement. It is preferred that the light source radiates light at least onto the back side 3 of the layer 1 of the arrangement. If the liquid F, the gas G, a reactant and/or a product attenuates the light radiated by the light source, it is particularly preferred if the light source shines exclusively onto the back side 3 of the layer 1 of the arrangement, since then the catalysis by the photocatalyst can be carried out with higher efficiency, more precise controllability and without the risk of the occurrence of undesirable by-products.

list of reference symbols

1

layer of the arrangement;

2

front side of the layer of the arrangement;

3

back of the layer of the arrangement;

4

first catalyst (e.g. photocatalyst);

5

second catalyst (e.g. enzyme);

6

layer thickness of the layer of the arrangement;

7

Spacer on first catalyst;

8

spacer on second catalyst;

9

further layer of the arrangement;

10

Front of the next layer of the arrangement;

11

back of the next layer of the arrangement;

12

Layer thickness of the further layer of the arrangement;

F

liquid (reaction solution);

G

Gas;

A1

Distance from the first catalyst to the second catalyst;

A2

Distance from the first region of the surface of the layer to the second region of the surface of the layer;

A3

Distance from the area of the surface of the further layer to the area of the surface of the layer;

FE

Liquid inlet of the flow reactor;

FA

liquid outlet of the flow reactor;

GE

Gas inlet of the flow reactor;

GA

gas outlet of the flow reactor;

BRU

Irradiation direction to the back of the layer of the arrangement;

BRO

Irradiation direction to the front of the layer of the arrangement.

Claims (24)

Flow reactor containing an arrangement for catalyzing at least two reactions, the arrangement having or consisting of: a) a layer with a front side and a back side, wherein the layer contains or consists of a polymer; b) a first catalyst which is suitable for catalyzing a first reaction and which is immobilized on the front side of the layer; and c) a second catalyst which is suitable for catalyzing a second reaction which is different from the first reaction; characterized in that the layer is at least partially transparent to light of at least one specific wavelength in the range from 250 nm to 1000 nm, wherein the flow reactor further contains an inlet for a liquid and an outlet for a liquid, wherein the inlet and outlet are each fluidically connected at least to the front side of the layer. Flow reactor according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the layer i) is at least partially transparent to light of at least one specific wavelength in the range from 300 to 800 nm, wherein the light of the specific wavelength is preferably light of a wavelength that is required to catalyze the first and/or second reaction; and/or ii) a layer thickness, in a direction from the front to the back of the layer, in the range from 1 µm to 1500 µm, preferably 2 to 1000 µm, particularly preferably 5 to 500 µm, in particular 10 to 200 µm; and/or iii) is planar or non-planar on the front and/or on the back, wherein the front and/or back optionally has a structure which is preferably selected from the group of wave-shaped structure, channel-shaped structure and combinations thereof; and/or iv) is designed as a film, preferably as a rigid or flexible film; and/or v) at least in some regions has a transmittance of ≥50%, preferably ≥70%, particularly preferably ≥90%, in particular ≥95%, optionally ≥99%, for light of at least one specific wavelength in the range from 250 nm to 1000 nm, preferably in the range from 300 to 800 nm, optionally in the range from 320 to 800 nm, wherein the light of the specific wavelength is preferably light of a wavelength that is required to catalyze the first and/or second reaction. Flow reactor according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the polymer of the layer i) is selected from the group consisting of polyolefin, polyester, polyamide, polyetherimide, polylactide, PEN, PVC, EVA, cellulose derivatives and combinations and copolymers thereof; and/or ii) has at least one functional group on the surface of the layer, wherein the at least one functional group is preferably selected from the group consisting of hydroxy group, amino group, azide group, thiol group, aldehyde group, alkyne group, alkene group, carboxylic acid group, carboxylic anhydride group, epoxy group, sulfonic acid group, sulfonic acid chloride group, trinitriloacetic acid group and combinations thereof, wherein the functional group is optionally complexed with at least one metal ion, wherein the at least one metal ion is preferably selected from the group consisting of Ni ion, Co ion, Zn ion and combinations thereof; and/or iii) is functionalized on the surface of the layer by a process selected from the group consisting of liquid treatment processes, gas phase processes, plasma processes and combinations thereof, wherein the liquid treatment process is preferably selected from the group consisting of dipping, printing, spraying, doctor blade coating, grafting and combinations thereof. Flow reactor according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first catalyst i) is selected from the group consisting of photocatalyst, noble metal catalyst, enzymatic catalyst and organic, non-enzymatic catalyst, wherein the first catalyst is preferably a photocatalyst; and/or ii) is a non-particulate catalyst or is a particulate catalyst; and/or iii) catalyzes a conversion of a reactant, which is a product of a catalysis of the second catalyst, to a product. Flow reactor according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first catalyst i) is immobilized on the surface of the layer via at least one non-covalent bond, wherein the at least one non-covalent bond is preferably selected from the group consisting of hydrogen bonding, dipole-dipole interaction, π-π interaction, van der Waals interaction, ionic interaction, hydrophobic interaction and combinations thereof; and/or ii) is immobilized on the surface of the layer via at least one covalent bond, wherein the covalent bond is preferably established by a functional group selected from the group consisting of ketone, ester, carbamate, carbonate, ether, amide, urethane, disulfide, sulfonamide, sulfonic acid ester, thioether, triazole and combinations thereof; and/or iii) is immobilized on the surface of the layer via a spacer, wherein the spacer is preferably selected from the group consisting of n-alkane, heterocycle, oligomer, polymer, plasma polymer and combinations thereof, wherein the spacer is particularly preferably selected from the group consisting of polyetherimine, polyethylene glycol, functionalized polysaccharide, polyacrylic acid-like plasma polymer and combinations thereof; and/or iv) is immobilized on the surface of the layer via a wet-chemical process, wherein the wet-chemical process is preferably selected from the group consisting of dipping processes, liquid pressure processes and combinations thereof. Flow reactor according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first catalyst i) is immobilized evenly distributed on the surface of the layer, wherein preferably the second catalyst is also evenly distributed on the surface of the layer and immobilized at a certain distance from the first catalyst, wherein the certain distance from the first catalyst to the second catalyst is preferably in a range from 1 nm to 1000 µm, optionally in a range from 200 nm to 1000 µm, wherein the distance refers to a distance determined via confocal Raman microscopy or electron microscopy; or ii) is immobilized in a first region of the surface of the layer and the second catalyst is immobilized in a second region of the arrangement. which is different from the first region of the surface of the layer and which has a distance from the first region of the surface of the layer which is in the range of 1 µm to 20 cm, preferably 10 µm to 10 cm, wherein the second region is optionally a second region on the surface of the layer of the arrangement or is a region on a surface of another layer of the arrangement. Flow reactor according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the second catalyst i) is selected from the group consisting of photocatalyst, noble metal catalyst, enzymatic catalyst and organic, non-enzymatic catalyst, wherein the second catalyst is preferably an enzymatic catalyst; and/or ii) is a non-particulate catalyst or is a particulate catalyst; and/or iii) catalyzes a conversion of a reactant, which is a product of a catalysis of the first catalyst, to a product. Flow reactor according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the second catalyst is immobilized on the front side of the layer, preferably i) is immobilized via at least one non-covalent bond on the surface of the layer, wherein the at least one non-covalent bond is preferably selected from the group consisting of hydrogen bonding, dipole-dipole interaction, π-π interaction, van der Waals interaction, ionic interaction, hydrophobic interaction and combinations thereof; and/or ii) is immobilized via at least one covalent bond on the surface of the layer, wherein the covalent bond is preferably established by a functional group selected from the group consisting of ketone, ester, carbamate, carbonate, ether, amide, sulfide, disulfide, and combinations thereof; and/or iii) is immobilized on the surface of the layer via a spacer, wherein the spacer is preferably selected from the group consisting of n-alkane, heterocycle, oligomer, polymer, plasma polymer and combinations thereof, wherein the spacer is particularly preferably selected from the group consisting of polyetherimine, polyethylene glycol, functionalized polysaccharide, polyacrylic acid-like plasma polymer and combinations thereof; and/or iv) is immobilized on the surface of the layer via a wet-chemical process, wherein the wet-chemical process is preferably selected from the group consisting of dipping processes, liquid pressure processes and combinations thereof. Flow reactor according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the second catalyst is immobilized on the surface of the layer and/or on a surface of a further layer of the arrangement, wherein the second catalyst is preferably i) immobilized evenly distributed on the surface of the layer at a specific distance from the first catalyst, wherein the specific distance from the first catalyst to the second catalyst is preferably in a range from 1 nm to 1000 µm, optionally in a range from 200 nm to 1000 µm, wherein the distance refers to a distance determined via confocal Raman microscopy or electron microscopy; or ii) is immobilized in a second region of the surface of the layer and the first catalyst is immobilized in a first region of the surface of the layer which is different from the first region of the surface of the layer and which has a distance from the first region of the surface of the layer which is in the range from 1 µm to 20 cm, preferably 10 µm to 10 cm; or iii) is immobilized in a region of a surface of a further layer of the arrangement and the first catalyst is immobilized on the surface of the layer, wherein the region of the surface of the further layer of the arrangement has a distance from the region of the surface of the layer of the arrangement which is in the range of 1 µm to 20 cm, preferably 10 µm to 10 cm. Flow reactor according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first catalyst and/or the second catalyst is a particulate catalyst, wherein the particulate catalyst preferably comprises the first catalyst and not the second catalyst, comprises the second catalyst and not the first catalyst, or comprises the first and second catalyst. Flow reactor according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first catalyst and/or the second catalyst is a supraparticulate catalyst, wherein the supraparticulate catalyst preferably i) has a diameter in the range from 1 µm to 20 µm, preferably in the range from 1 µm to 10 µm; and/or ii) contains or consists of a plurality of catalytically active nanoparticles, wherein the nanoparticles preferably have a diameter in the range from 1 nm to 500 nm, particularly preferably 5 nm to 150 nm, very particularly preferably 5 nm to 100 nm; and/or iii) contains or consists of a plurality of catalytically inactive carrier particles, the surface of which is coated with catalytic particles containing or consisting of catalytically active molecules, ions and/or atoms, wherein the carrier particles preferably have a diameter in the range from 1 nm to 500 nm, particularly preferably 5 nm to 150 nm, very particularly preferably 5 nm to 100 nm, and/or the catalytic particles have a diameter in the range from 1 µm to 20 µm, preferably 1 µm to 10 µm; and/or iv) a plurality of catalytically active nanoparticles and catalytically inactive carrier particles, the surface of which is covered with, contains or consists of catalytic particles containing or consisting of catalytically active molecules, ions and/or atoms; and/or v) is produced by spray drying, preferably by spray drying of at least one dispersion containing catalytically active nanoparticles and/or of at least one dispersion containing catalytically inactive carrier particles and containing catalytic particles containing or consisting of catalytically active molecules, ions and/or atoms. Flow reactor according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the arrangement comprises a liquid which contacts the front side of the layer, wherein the liquid preferably contains i) water; and/or ii) oxygen; and/or iii) a nucleophilic reagent, preferably a cyanide salt, particularly preferably NaCN; and/or iv) a halogenating agent, preferably a halogenating agent which contains fluorine as an electrophile or nucleophile; and/or v) at least one organic solvent which is preferably selected from the group consisting of alcohol, DMSO and mixtures thereof, wherein the alcohol is particularly preferably a C ₁ -C ₆ alcohol, and wherein the alcohol is in particular selected from the group consisting of methanol, ethanol, 2-propanol and mixtures thereof; and/or vi) contains at least one reactant, optionally a plurality of reactants, the conversion of which to a product is catalyzed by the first and/or second catalyst, wherein the at least one reactant is preferably selected from the group consisting of β-keto-carboxylic acid and alkylated benzene; and/or vii) contains the second catalyst; and/or viii) is arranged at a height on the front side of the layer which is in the range of 10 to 200 µm, preferably 20 to 100 µm, wherein the height corresponds to a length from a lowest point on the front side of the layer to a point in the liquid which is furthest away from the lowest point on the front side of the layer. Flow reactor according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the arrangement comprises a support frame suitable for supporting the layer in a reversible manner, the layer preferably being supported by the support frame. Flow reactor according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the arrangement contains a light source which is configured to radiate light of at least one specific wavelength in the range from 250 nm to 1000 nm, preferably in the range from 300 to 800 nm, optionally in the range from 320 to 800 nm, in the direction of the front and/or back of the layer, and optionally in the direction of the front and/or back of at least one further layer of the arrangement, wherein the light of the specific wavelength is preferably light of a wavelength which is required to catalyze the first and/or second reaction, wherein the light source is preferably configured to radiate in the direction of the back of the layer and/or the at least one further layer. Flow reactor according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first catalyst is immobilized in a first region of the surface of the layer which faces the inlet and the second catalyst is immobilized in a region of the arrangement which faces the outlet and which does not overlap with the first region of the surface of the layer. Flow reactor according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the inlet for a liquid is connected to a liquid source, the liquid source containing a liquid, the liquid preferably containing i) water; and/or ii) a nucleophilic reagent, preferably a cyanide salt, particularly preferably NaCN; and/or iii) a halogenating agent, preferably a halogenating agent that contains fluorine as an electrophile or nucleophile; and/or iv) at least one organic solvent, which is preferably a C ₁ -C ₆ alcohol, the organic solvent being particularly preferably selected from the group consisting of methanol, ethanol, 2-propanol and mixtures thereof; and/or v) at least one reactant, optionally a plurality of reactants, the conversion of which to a product is catalyzed by the first and/or second catalyst, the at least one reactant being preferably selected from the group consisting of β-keto-carboxylic acid and alkylated benzene; and/or ii) the second catalyst. Flow reactor according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that that the flow reactor has an inlet for a gas and an outlet for a gas, wherein preferably i) the inlet for a gas and the outlet for a gas are each fluidically connected at least to the front side of the layer; and/or ii) the inlet for a gas is preferably connected to a gas source which in particular contains oxygen. Flow reactor according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the flow reactor has at least two, preferably at least three, particularly preferably at least four, in particular at least five, claims 1 until 14 described arrangements, wherein preferably i) the arrangements are connected fluidically in parallel or fluidically in series in a direction from the inlet to the outlet of the flow reactor, wherein in particular the outlet of an upstream arrangement is fluidically connected to the inlet of a further arrangement located immediately downstream of the arrangement; and/or ii) between the respective arrangements the first and/or second catalysts are the same or different. A process for catalyzing at least two reactions, comprising or consisting of the following steps: a) providing a flow reactor according to one of the Claims 1 until 18 and b) contacting at least the first surface of the layer with a liquid, wherein the liquid contains at least one reactant whose conversion to a product is catalyzed by the first and second catalysts, or the liquid contains at least one first reactant whose conversion to at least one first product is catalyzed by the first or second catalysts, and the liquid contains at least one second reactant whose conversion to at least one second product is catalyzed by one of the first or second catalysts which does not catalyze the conversion of the first reactant to a first product. procedure according to claim 19 , characterized in that light of at least one specific wavelength in the range from 250 nm to 1000 nm, preferably in the range from 300 to 800 nm, optionally in the range from 320 to 800 nm, is radiated in the direction of the front and/or back of the layer, and optionally in the direction of the front and/or back of at least one further layer of the arrangement, wherein the light of the specific wavelength is preferably light of a wavelength that is required to catalyze the first and/or second reaction, wherein the light is preferably radiated in the direction of the back of the layer and/or the back of the at least one further layer of the arrangement. Procedure according to one of the Claims 19 or 20 , characterized in that in step a) a flow reactor is provided and the liquid is passed from the inlet to the outlet of the flow reactor, wherein particularly preferably the liquid is first passed over the first catalyst which is immobilized in a first region of the surface of the layer which faces the inlet, and the liquid is then passed over the second catalyst which is immobilized in a region of the arrangement which faces the outlet and which does not overlap with the first region of the layer of the arrangement. procedure according to claim 21 , characterized in that the flow reactor further comprises at least one inlet for a gas and at least one outlet for a gas, which are preferably each fluidically connected to the front side of the layer and/or to a front side of a further layer of the arrangement, wherein the gas is transported from the inlet for a gas to the outlet for a gas. Procedure according to one of the Claims 19 until 22 , characterized in that the flow reactor has at least two, preferably at least three, particularly preferably at least four, in particular at least five, claims 1 until 14 described arrangements, wherein preferably i) the arrangements are connected fluidically in parallel or fluidically in series in a direction from the inlet to the outlet of the flow reactor and wherein the liquid is transported fluidically in parallel or in series from the inlet for a liquid to the outlet for a liquid and optionally a gas is transported fluidically in parallel or in series from an inlet for a gas of the flow reactor to an outlet for a gas of the flow reactor; and/or ii) between the respective arrangements the first and/or second catalysts are the same or different. Use of the flow reactor according to one of the Claims 1 until 18 for catalyzing at least two reactions, preferably at least two interdependent reactions, in a cas cade reactions or two independent reactions.

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