isomerization of 3-benzylidene-indolin-2-ones using a microfluidic photo-reactor

Here, we report controlled E - Z isomeric motion of the functionalized 3-benzylidene-indolin-2-ones under various solvents, temperature, light sources, and most importantly effective enhancement of light irradiance in microfluidic photoreactor conditions. Stabilization of the E - Z isomeric motion is failed in batch process, which might be due to the exponential decay of light intensity, variable irradiation, low mixing, low heat exchange, low photon flux etc. This photo-μ-flow light driven motion is further extended to the establishment of a photostationary state under solar light irradiation. ( E )-3-Benzylidene-indolin-2-ones were efficiently converted to their corresponding ( Z ) -isomers at low temperature in the presence of light.