Photooxygenations in a bubble column reactor

A novel column reactor was constructed and successfully applied to dye-sensitized photooxygenation reactions in aqueous alcohol solutions. The air flow pattern within the narrow glass column could be controlled via the size of the air inlet capillary. Using a 500 μm capillary, a slug flow pattern was realized which allowed for superior mass transfer and light transparency within a thin solvent layer. These features subsequently gave higher conversion rates and isolated yields.