Microwave-Accelerated Organic Reactions

The use of microwave technology in accelerating organic reactions has received intense attention leading to immense growth recently. Accordingly, we have been interested in improving the efficacy of organic processes by microwave irradiation. Here we report our results on the microwave assisted 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition reaction of nitrile oxides with allylic alcohols, the cleavage reaction of 1,3-diketones under alkaline conditions, and the formation of carbamates from isocyanates with alcohols. The reactions carried out under microwave irradiation, in general, required considerably less reaction time and afforded the desired products in higher yields than those under classical conditions. In all the cases we have studied, the procedures are simplified, the purity of the products are higher, and the cost of reaction is greatly reduced employing microwave.     

Microwave-assisted reactions in heterocyclic compounds with applications in medicinal and supramolecular chemistry

Microwave irradiation has been successfully applied in organic chemistry. Spectacular accelerations, higher yields under milder reaction conditions and higher product purities have all been reported. Indeed, a number of authors have described success in reactions that do not occur under conventional heating and modifications in selectivity (chemo-, regio- and stereoselectivity) have even been reported. Recent advances in microwave-assisted combinatorial chemistry include high-speed solid-phase and polymer-supported organic synthesis, rapid parallel synthesis of compound libraries, and library generation by automated sequential microwave irradiation. In addition, new instrumentation for high-throughput microwave-assisted synthesis continues to be developed at a steady pace. The impressive speed combined with the unmatched control over reaction parameters justifies the growing interest in this application of microwave heating. In this review we highlight our recent advances in this area, with a particular emphasis on cycloaddition reactions of heterocyclic compounds both with and without supports, applications in supramolecular chemistry and the reproducibility and scalability of organic reactions involving the use of microwave irradiation techniques.     

Microwave-induced organic reaction enhancement (more) chemistry: Techniques for rapid,safe and inexpensive synthesis

Synthetic organic reactions have been conducted under microwave irradiation in open vessels in unaltered domestic microwave ovens. Reaction times vary from a few seconds for sub-milligram reactions to about 15 minutes for reactions carried out on a scale of hundreds of grams. Promising results have been obtained for several condensations, as well as the Bischler-Napieralski reaction, the Wolff-Kishner reduction, free radical dehalogenation reactions, and other standard synthetic operations. Rapid catalytic transfer hydrogenation using ammonium formate as the source of hydrogen has been conducted at about 100-130 °C under microwave irradiation. Meaningful, safe and inexpensive synthetic experiments for undergraduate and pre-college students have been developed and tested. The MORE chemistry techniques make it possible to use simple apparatus and very short reaction times. Commercial microwave ovens are now essential equipment in our research and teaching laboratories [1-3]. These ovens are relatively inexpensive, easy to move from one laboratory and set up in another, and safe to operate. Glass, plastics, and ceramics are essentially transparent to microwaves whereas many organic compounds are dipolar in nature and absorb microwave energy readily. We have found that untraditional experimental arrangements are possible for conducting a wide variety of organic reactions in open vessels inside domestic microwave ovens. Depending on the quantity of reactants, most reactions (on a scale of milligrams to several grams) can be completed in minutes instead of hours. One important element of our “Microwave-induced Organic Reaction Enhancement” (MORE) chemistry is the proper choice of a microwave energy transfer agent as the reaction medium.     

Microwaves in organic synthesis. Thermal and non-thermal microwave effects

Microwave irradiation has been successfully applied in organic chemistry. Spectacular accelerations, higher yields under milder reaction conditions and higher product purities have all been reported. Indeed, a number of authors have described success in reactions that do not occur by conventional heating and even modifications of selectivity (chemo-, regio- and stereoselectivity). The effect of microwave irradiation in organic synthesis is a combination of thermal effects, arising from the heating rate, superheating or "hot spots" and the selective absorption of radiation by polar substances. Such phenomena are not usually accessible by classical heating and the existence of non-thermal effects of highly polarizing radiation--the "specific microwave effect"--is still a controversial topic. An overview of the thermal effects and the current state of non-thermal microwave effects is presented in this critical review along with a view on how these phenomena can be effectively used in organic synthesis.     

微波与有机化学反应的选择性

本文综述了微波辅助下有机化学反应的选择性,包括化学选择性、区域选择性、顺反选择性、非对映选择性、对映选择性,与传统加热条件下反应选择性的区别。讨论了微波对有机化学反应选择性的影响。从文献报道的结果来看,虽然观察到了一些反应在微波照射与加热条件下显示出不同的选择性,但绝大部分例子并不是在严格相同的条件下进行的对比,还有一些虽然做了对比研究,但却忽略了温度的影响。对于绝大多数例子,微波产生的选择性的差别似乎都可以用热效应来解释。可以认为微波辅助的反应中基本不存在特殊的"非热效应"。微波辅助技术可以通过改变反应温度来实现改变某些反应的选择性。希望本文对微波效应和微波对有机反应加速效应的本质的理解提供一些有用信息。     

Esterification of dicarboxylic acids with benzyl alcohol under the action of the microwave radiation

Reaction of dicarboxylic acid with benzyl alcohol under the microwave irradiation proceeds faster as compared to the thermal conditions. The main reaction products are alkyl dicarboxylates, and the monoester and dibenzyl ether are formed as the side products. A proposal about the nature of the nonthermal effect in the reactions stimulated by the microwave irradiation is considered.     

Fast synthesis of optically active polyamides containing <Emphasis Type="SmallCaps">l</Emphasis>-methionine linkages in ionic liquid via a microwave-assisted process

Several optically active aromatic polyamides have been synthesized via direct polycondensation of chiral diacid monomer 1 containing l-methionine moiety with diverse aromatic diamines 2a–2h in a green medium, namely 1,3-dipropylimidazolium bromide as a room temperature ionic liquid. In order to evaluate the advantages of microwave promotion of these polymerization reactions, we compared microwave irradiation (method I) with conventional oil bath heating (method II) by means of reaction rates, conversions, and inherent viscosities. The inherent viscosities of resulting polymers were ranging between 0.47–0.65 and 0.35–0.57 dL/g in methods I and II, respectively. These polymers were characterized by means of ¹H-NMR, FT-IR, elemental, organosolubility, differential scanning calorimetry, and thermal gravimetric analysis techniques. The obtained polymers show thermal stability up to 273 °C under nitrogen atmosphere and good solubility in polar organic solvents. Polymerization reactions proceeded in higher yields and moderate inherent viscosities under microwave irradiation conditions besides the dramatically shorter reaction times and achieving the more pure products.     

Comparison of betaine and l-stachydrine as phase-transfer catalysts in Michael addition and Darzens reaction

Betaine and l-stachydrine have been tested as phase-transfer catalysts in Michael and Darzens reactions. The catalytic effect of l-stachydrine was found comparable to that of betaine in Michael addition and even higher when considering Darzens reaction. The desired products have been obtained in higher yields in solid-liquid system than under liquid-liquid bi-phase conditions. The influence of microwave irradiation and ultrasound on the reaction rate has been studied.     

Expedient synthesis of substituted (diphenylphosphinoylmethyl)benzenes

An efficient protocol for the synthesis of structurally diverse (diphenylphosphinoylmethyl)benzenes is described. The reaction employs readily available carboxylic acids, chlorodiphenylphosphine, and water as the reagents. A 97% reduction in the reaction times and substantially higher yields of products result, up to a 60% increase, if the reactions are performed under microwave irradiation. The first examples of transition-metal-catalyzed reactions applied to 4-bromo-1,3-bis(diphenylphosphinoylmethyl)benzene are also reported.     

Ring-closing metathesis in glycerol under microwave activation

Glycerol, a biodegradable and virtually non-toxic bio-sourced chemical can be used as an alternative, reusable, sustainable solvent, with so far limited application in the field of green organic chemistry. Herein, the reaction conditions have been screened for the ring-closing metathesis (RCM) of N,N-diallyltosylamine and diethyl diallylmalonate in glycerol, under microwave irradiation and in the presence of the most common commercially available RCM catalysts. The products were isolated in high yield after extraction and the catalyst could be recycled up to two times. Results with simultaneous cooling of the reaction vessel under microwave irradiation are also reported.     

Efficient synthesis of functionalized 6-arylsalicylates via microwave-promoted Suzuki cross-coupling reaction

Functionalized 6-arylsalicylate substructures occur in a variety of pharmacologically relevant natural products and bioactive compounds. They are also broadly used as important intermediates in organic synthesis. Traditional synthetic methods have suffered from some drawbacks, such as relatively harsh reaction conditions, narrow range of substrates, and poor yields. Utilizing microwave irradiation, the synthesis of functionalized 6-arylsalicylates via a Suzuki cross-coupling has been developed with a wide range of substrates. Almost all the reactions proceeded smoothly and afforded moderate to excellent yields of products, which indicated that electronic effects and steric modifications have little effect on this reaction.     

Highly regioselective Wittig reactions of cyclic ketones with a stabilized phosphorus ylide under controlled microwave heating

Significant base and temperature effects on the Wittig reactions of cyclohexanones with (carbethoxymethylene)triphenylphosphorane under microwave irradiation were observed. For the Wittig reactions carried out in a domestic microwave oven under solvent-free conditions, the initially formed exo-olefin products isomerized into the thermodynamically more stable endo-olefins due to uncontrolled high reaction temperature. In sharp contrast, under controlled microwave heating, both exo- and endo-olefins have been selectively synthesized by accurately regulating the reaction temperature with or without a base.     

相转移催化与微波辐射合成三(2-氰乙基)胺

将微波辐射与相转移催化技术相结合,在加压密闭容器中,以氨水和丙烯腈合成了配位中间体三(2-氰乙基)胺,产率为61.2%,合成时间比传统方法缩短了8倍;在微波辐射下,产率为67.2%,合成时间缩短约90倍.对产物进行了元素分析,IR,¹H-NMR,ES-MS,及TG-DTA表征.     

Natural organic acids promoted Beckmann rearrangement: Green and expeditious synthesis of amides under solvent-free conditions

Naturally occurring organic acids are reported to be highly efficient promoters of the Beckmann rearrangement. Citric, oxalic, tartaric, malic, succinic, malonic, and fumaric acids efficiently promote the Beckmann rearrangement under solvent-free conditions and thermal and microwave irradiation. Tartaric acid was found to be the best promoter of the Beckmann rearrangement under conventional conditions as well as under microwave irradiation. Compared with conventional heating, microwave irradiation provides higher reaction rate and slightly higher yields.     

A new convenient way to synthesize 1‐hydroxyphosphonates from heterocyclic aldehydes and ketones under microwave irradiation

A simple and efficient method has been developed for the synthesis of 1‐hydroxyphosphonates from heterocyclic aldehydes and ketones under solvent‐free conditions using microwave irradiation. Various phosphites have been used to find the influence of steric exclusion on the reaction. The products are readily obtained in satisfactory yields, on the solid support of MgO. The reactions are also induced by oil‐heat, and we find that the condition of microwave is better than oil‐heat with respect to reaction times and product yields. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Heteroatom Chem 18:347–353, 2007; Published online in Wiley InterScience ( www.interscience.wiley.com ). DOI 10.1002/hc.20304     

INVESTIGATION OF THE EFFECTS OF SOME HEAT SINKS IN MICROWAVE-ASSISTED SYNTHESIS OF SOME BIGINELLI COMPOUNDS

Pyrimidine derivatives 4a–ewere synthesized by Biginelli reaction under microwave irradiation. The effectiveness of different baths or containers including ceramic, silica gel, potsherd, alumina, and molecular sieve as heat sinks in mediating the microwave irradiation for the formation of 4a–ehas been investigated. All one-pot condensations of β -Ketoester 1, aryl aldehyde 2, and (thio)urea 3in heat sinks provide high yields of the desired compounds, particularly when reactions are run at low temperature. In addition, we found that potsherd and ceramic are suitable heat sinks for preparation of these cyclocondensation products under microwave irradiation.     

Highly effective methane conversion to aromatic hydrocarbons by means of microwave and rf-induced catalysis

Conversion of methane to higher hydrocarbon products, in particular, aromatic hydrocarbons has been achieved with good methane conversion and selectivity to aromatic products over heterogeneous catalysts using both high power pulsed microwave and rf energy. For example, under microwave irradiation > 85% conversion of methane and 60% selectivity to aromatics could be achieved. Cu, Ni, Fe and Al metallic materials are highly effective catalysts for the aromatization of methane via microwave heating; however, with a variety of supported catalysts the major products were C₂ hydrocarbons and the conversion of methane was low. The use of sponge, wire and net forms of these metal catalysts was found advantageous in effective methane conversion. The reactions are considered to be free radical in nature and to proceed through an intermediate stage involving formation of acetylene. The influence of catalyst nature and configuration, as well as the microwave and rf irradiation parameters on the reaction efficiency and product selectivity has been examined in both batch and continuous flow conditions.     

Microwave-Assisted Solid Phase Organic Synthesis.Application to Indole Library Construction

Microwave-assisted organic synthesis (MAOS) has attained increasing popularity due to recent advancement in the instrumentation of microwave technology. Now, MAOS can be performed under controlled temperature and pressure to yield reproducible results. For combinatorial chemistry,the dramatically increased reaction rate under microwave irradiation at high temperature provides an ideal solution to those sluggish reactions, in particular the combinatorial reactions carried out on solid supports. In this presentation, we describe our results on microwave-assisted solid-phase organic synthesis (MASPOS) applied to the construction of indole libraries such as 5. Compounds 4 were synthesized on the Rink amide resins using IRORI MicroKanTM reactors encoded with a radio-frequency (Rf) tag. The resin-bound terminal alkynes 2, prepared via the amide bond, were cross-coupled with the nitroaryl triflate under the conditions adopted from the solution reactions developed by us1,2. The nitro group of 3 was then reduced and sulfonylated to give 4. Ring closure reactions within 4 with Cu(OAc)2 were examined initially in refluxing DCE for 24 h, but no indole product was detected after cleavage from the resin. Therefore, the same reactions were carried out under microwave irradiation at 200 ℃ for 10 min on a Personal Chemistry Emrys Creator, the desired indoles 5 were obtained in 60-95% overall yields calculated from 1 and in ＞90% purities in most cases3. It is necessary to mention that the IRORI microreactors cannot tolerate the high temperature and the resin-bound 4 must be transferred to the reaction vials for the microwave-assisted ring closure reactions. A traceless synthesis of an indole library via MASPOS will be discussed as well.4     

Novel Base-Promoted Syntheses ofβ-Indolylketones via a Three- Component Condensation under Ultrasound Irradiation

In recent years, a wide variety of organic compounds bearing indole fragment have been attracted much attention due to the fact that many of them are pharmacologically and biologically active compounds.[1] Among them β-indolylketones are one of the most significant intermediates for the preparation of natural products such as hapalindole D 1.[2] In recent years, the utilization of multicomponent condensations (MCCs) to generate novel, drug-like scaffolds are replete in current organic reactions due to the fact that products can be prepared directly in a single step and the diversity can be achieved simply by varying the reaction substrates. In continuation of our work to synthesize new β-indolylketones,[3] herein, we report a novel base-induced syntheses of new β-indolylketones via a three-component condensation. Deoxybenzoin as carbonyl compound is introduced into the reaction (Scheme 1), and all the reactions were operated under ultrasound irradiation since the utilization of which can accelerate the progress of many reactions and shorten the reaction time.     

Practical and Scalable Organic Reactions with Flow Microwave Apparatus

Microwave irradiation has been used for accelerating organic reactions as a heating method and has been proven to be useful in laboratory scale organic synthesis. The major drawback of microwave chemistry is the difficulty in scaling up, mainly because of the low penetration depth of microwaves. The combination of microwave chemistry and flow chemistry is considered to overcome the problem in scaling up of microwave‐assisted organic reactions, and some flow microwave systems have been developed in both academic and industrial communities. In this context, we have demonstrated the scale‐up of fundamental organic reactions using a novel flow microwave system developed by the academic‐industrial alliance between the University of Shizuoka, Advanced Industrial Science and Technology, and SAIDA FDS. In this Personal Account, we summarize the recent progress of our scalable microwave‐assisted continuous synthesis using the SAIDA flow microwave apparatus.