Fluorescent sensors are an important part of the analytical scientist's toolbox. The use of fluorescent PET (Photoinduced Electron Transfer) sensors has seen particular growth in recent times. This Critical Review discusses recent growth areas in fluorescent PET sensors by emphasizing the modular features of the 'fluorophore-spacer-receptor' design. The occurrence of the dipicolylamine receptor in PET sensor designs is critically examined as a case in point.

Continuous flow manufacture is an innovative technology platform, which is gaining momentum within the pharmaceutical industry. The key advantages of continuous flow include faster and safer reactions, which can be more environmentally friendly, smaller footprint, better quality product, and critically, the ability to perform chemistry that is difficult or impossible to do in batch mode. Globally, significant efforts have been made to develop the manufacturing flexibility and robustness of processes used to produce chemicals in a continuous way, yet despite these scientific developments, a major challenge for industry is the established application of flow technology to commercially relevant examples. The identification of opportunities to apply flow solutions to current processes is also critical to the success of this new technology for pharmaceutical and fine chemical companies. This review highlights industrial hurdles and the importance of education and showcases recent (2018−2019) and relevant industrial examples where utilization of flow technology has been successfully performed.

Chiral amines are valuable building blocks for the pharmaceutical industry. ω-TAms have emerged as an exciting option for their synthesis, offering a potential "green alternative" to overcome the drawbacks associated with conventional chemical methods. In this review, we explore the application of ω-TAms for pharmaceutical production. We discuss the diverse array of reactions available involving ω-TAms and process considerations of their use in both kinetic resolution and asymmetric synthesis. With the aid of specific drug intermediates and APIs, we chart the development of ω-TAms using protein engineering and their contribution to elegant one-pot cascades with other enzymes, including carbonyl reductases (CREDs), hydrolases and monoamine oxidases (MAOs), providing a comprehensive overview of their uses, beginning with initial applications through to the present day.