The development of a safe method for the production and subsequent use of toxic, sensitive, and explosive volatile chemicals or gaseous intermediates in organic synthesis is always a challenge.

Dong-Pyo Kim and co-workers at Chungnam National University, South Korea, have constructed a dual-channel microreactor that generates diazomethane (CH₂N₂) an extremely toxic, carcinogenic, odorless, and explosive yellow gas, ready for use in a variety of reactions.

Not only is diazomethane generated in situ but it is also separated and reacted in a safe manner using their special set up (see figure; Dizald is the diazomethane precursor). Thus “dry” diazomethane diffuses through a poly(dimethylsiloxane) membrane into a second channel where the reagent is consumed.

_{Images: (c) Wiley-VCH}

• Continuous In-Situ Generation, Separation, and Reaction of Diazomethane in a Dual-Channel Microreactor
  R. A. Maurya, C. P. Park, J. H. Lee, D.-P. Kim,
  Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2011.
  DOI: 10.1002/anie.201101977
• R. A. Maurya, C. P. Park, J. H. Lee, D.-P. Kim,
  Angew. Chem. 2011.
  DOI: 10.1002/ange.201101977