Organic syntheses using microwave irradiation oxidation

Microwave irradiation has been widely used in organic synthesis on a laboratory scale during the last few years. Several categories of reactions, for example, Diels-Alder reactions, ortAo-Claisen condensations, ene-reactions, oxidations, esterification of carboxylic acids with alcohols, and hydrolysis of esters and amides to carboxylic acids, have been successfully carried out in conventional microwave ovens. Table 26.4, adapted from Majetich and Hicks (1994), provides representative examples of some of these reactions. It can be seen that the conditions under which the conventional and microwave reactions are carried out differ significantly for most reactions. Hence, in comparing reactions with micro-waves with conventional syntheses with reflux, it is necassary to make the comparisons based on the total amount of energy input to the reaction volume. 

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