The invention discloses a method for continuously synthesizing 2-(4-cyanophenyl)-N-Boc-
ethylamine by virtue of
photocatalysis. The preparation method comprises the following steps: in the presence of a photocatalyst, enabling 4-chlorobenzonitrile, tert-butyl vinyl
carbamate and (tri (
trimethylsilyl)
silane to react in a
solvent through a photoreactor; and after the reaction is finished, extracting,
drying and purifying by
silica gel column chromatography to obtain a target product. By using the micro-channel photoreactor, efficient mixing,
mass transfer enhancement, reaction time shortening and yield and purity improvement can be realized. The whole reaction process is continuous and closed, the liquid holdup is small, and the
exposure risk of toxic chemicals is remarkably reduced. The
solvent can be recycled, and the COD of the waste liquid is reduced by 70% or above. Equipment is easy to amplify, small in occupied area, energy-saving and economical, the obtained product meets the
quality standard of GMP
bulk drug intermediates, and the method is suitable for industrial production of
vilazodone and other drugs.