Since 1986, when microwave irradiation was first applied towards organic chemistry, microwave-assisted synthesis has become increasingly popular for modern chemical synthesis strategies. Microwave synthesis is particularly interesting due to its high efficiency, leading to drastically reduced reaction times, higher yield and purer products.
The most precise reaction control
The first experiments were carried out using ordinary domestic microwave ovens, without being able to monitor or control reaction parameters such as pressure and temperature. Modern instruments, such as Synthos 3000, provide exact inside temperature measurement, IR temperature control and specific pressure measuring devices, all of which ensure the highest precision in reaction control.
New benchmarks
In the past, the small sample vessels or microwave chambers meant that the use of microwave-assisted synthesis was limited to the optimization of reactions and development of methods using small volumes (<10 mmol).
Now, powerful microwave ovens allow the production of compounds on a large scale (> 50 mmol). Synthos 3000 provides this feature utilizing specially designed rotors, high-pressure vessels and corresponding accessories, guaranteeing efficient organic synthesis in the microwave field.
Applications
Microwave-assisted synthesis under controlled conditions has many uses in the field of medical chemistry and pharmaceutical research.
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Langa F. et al., "Microwave irradiation: more than just a method for accelerating reactions", Contemp. Org. Synth. 1997, 373-386
Larhed M., Hallberg A:, "Microwave-assisted high-speed chemistry: a new technique in drug discovery", Drug Discovery Today 2001, 406-416
Articles
Stadler A. et al., "Scalability of Microwave-Assisted Organic Synthesis. From Single-Mode to Multimode Parallel Batch Reactors", Org. Process Res. Dev. 2003, 707-716
Kaval N. et al., "The Effect of Pressure on Microwave-Enhanced Diels-Alder Reactions. A Case Study.", Org. Biomol.Chem. 2004, 154-156
C.O. Kappe, "Controlled Microwave Heating in Modern Organic Synthesis", Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2004, 6250-6284
Kremsner J.M., Kappe C.O., "Microwave-Assisted Organic Synthesis in Near Critical Water at 300°C - A Proof-of-Concept Study", Eur.J.Org.Chem. 2005, 3672-3679
Kremsner J.M., Kappe C.O., "Silicon Carbide Passive Heating Elements in Microwave-Assisted Organic Synthesis", J.Org.Chem. 2006, 4651-4658
Books
"Microwaves in Organic and Medicinal Chemistry", C.O. Kappe, A. Stadler, Wiley-VCh, June 2005
"Microwaves in Organic Synthesis", 2nd Edition, A. Loupy (Ed.), Wiley-VCh, 2006
"Advances in Green Chemistry: Chemical Syntheses Using Microwave Irradiation", R.S. Varma, Kavitha Printers, Bangalore, 2002
"Microwaves in Combinatorial and High-Throughput synthesis" (a special issue of Mol. Diversity), C. O. Kappe (Ed.), Kluwer Academic Publishers, 2003
"Microwave-Assisted Organic Synthesis", P.Lidström, J. Tierney (Eds.), Blackwell Scientific, 2005
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