Issue 4, 2012

On the rational design of microwave-actuated organic reactions

Abstract

Microwave-actuated organic reactions are defined herein as chemical reaction systems for which microwave irradiation provides a clear benefit over conventional heating to the same temperature. This study is focused on a rationally designed, microwave-actuated reaction (thermal Friedel–Crafts benzylation), in which a microwave-absorbing ionic solute reacts in a non-polar and largely microwave-transparent solvent. Steady-state microwave irradiation (ssMWi) induces observed levels of reactivity from the solute that cannot be duplicated by conventional heating of the homogeneous solution to similar temperatures. This observation is qualitatively consistent with the Arrhenius [k = Ae(−Ea/RT)] relationship between rate and molecular collisions (kA at constant T). A new paradigm for designing microwave-actuated organic reactions for microwave-assisted organic synthesis emerges from this study.

Graphical abstract: On the rational design of microwave-actuated organic reactions

Supplementary files

Article information

Article type
Edge Article
Submitted
01 Dec 2011
Accepted
16 Jan 2012
First published
17 Jan 2012

Chem. Sci., 2012,3, 1240-1244

On the rational design of microwave-actuated organic reactions

M. R. Rosana, Y. Tao, A. E. Stiegman and G. B. Dudley, Chem. Sci., 2012, 3, 1240 DOI: 10.1039/C2SC01003H

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