The Use of Microwave Irradiation in Organic Synthesis. From Laboratory Curiosity to Standard Practice in Twenty Years

Abstract

In the past few years, the use of microwave energy to heat and drive chemical reactions has become increasingly popular in the medicinal chemistry community. First described 20 years ago, this non-classical heating method has matured from a laboratory curiosity to an established technique that is heavily used in academia and industry. One of the many advantages of using rapid 'microwave flash heating' for chemical synthesis is the dramatic reduction in reaction times: from days and hours to minutes and seconds. As will be discussed here, there are good reasons why many organic chemists are incorporating microwave chemistry into their daily work routine.