In situ Raman spectroscopy as a probe for the effect of power on microwave-promoted Suzuki coupling reactions

We report the use of in situ Raman spectroscopy as a probe for the effect of power on microwave-promoted Suzuki coupling reactions. We find that increased initial microwave power leads to greater acceleration of the reaction but that the product yield obtained is essentially independent of initial microwave power. The application of simultaneous cooling lengthens the reaction time but does not alter the relative rates of the Suzuki coupling and deboronation processes. Performing the reaction at an initial microwave power of 5 W leads to an improvement in product yield.