Organic synthesis in micro reactors.

This article reviews the current and future applications of micro reactors in the field of chemistry, biochemistry and drug discovery. The fabrication and physical characterisation of micro reactors, together with details of their use and operation is described. Liquid and gas phase reactions have been used to illustrate the advantages of performing chemical reactions in micro reactors. A brief evaluation of the possible advantages that micro fabrication could offer in developing biological applications, based on miniaturized devices is also presented.