Microwave Chemistry: General Features and Applications

Abstract:

As we know fire is now rarely used in synthetic chemistry, it was not until Robert Bunsen invented burner in 1855 that the energy from this heat source could be applied to a reaction vessel in a focused manner. The Bunsen burner was later superseded by the heating mantle, oil bath or hot plate as a source of heat to a chemical reaction. In the past few years, heating chemical reactions by microwave energy has been an increasingly popular theme in the scientific community. The use of microwave irradiation in chemistry has become a popular technique that it might be assumed that, in a few years, most chemists will probably use microwave energy to heat chemical reactions on a laboratory scale. Many scientists, both in academia and in industry, have turned to microwave synthesis as a frontline methodology for their projects. This review highlights applications of microwave chemistry in organic synthesis, and discusses some of the underlying phenomena involved.

KEY WORDS: Microwaves, Organic synthesis, Dielectric heating, Applications. for drug discovery, development