Uniqsis reports how researchers at the School of Chemistry, University of Bristol (UK) have successfully prepared bicyclic lactams in high overall yield and excellent purity, under flow through conditions, using a photochemical [2+2] cycloaddition followed by a thermal electrocyclic cascade.By moving the photochemistry, performed using a PhotoSyn™ LED photoreactor, from ultraviolet (UV) to visible, the Bristol researchers were able to make their [2+2] ring closure much more energy-efficient. Integrating this with a FlowSyn™ Continuous Flow Reactor they were also able to apply automated high-temperature flow chemistry to the thermal cascade step facilitating safe and reliable scale-up with short reaction times.Using this experimental set-up – the researchers were able to demonstrate a unique example of…