Application Note 39 – Synthesis of Artemisinin using E-Series and UV-150 reactor

This application note demonstrates the use of the UV-150 photochemical reactor and E-Series system in the continuous synthesis of Artemisinin via the photooxidation of dihydroartemisinic acid. This application note shows how the easy-Photochem system can deliver not only the substrate but also oxygen in a safe, efficient continuous manner with the UV-150 effectively generating the singlet oxygen required for the reaction. This self-contained unit, coupled to an additional room temperature reactor is shown to synthesise the anti-malarial medicine artemisinin in comparable yields to previously published methods.